With this move, Akhilesh has sent out a strong message to partymen that he is firmly in charge. The differences in the Yadav family came out in the open on Monday as Shivpal Yadav, an uncle of Akhilesh, skipped the cabinet expansion ceremony.
Notably, Balram Yadav was sacked over his role in negotiating the merger of gangster Mukhtar Ansari’s Qaumi Ekta Dal (QED) with SP. The merger was said to have had the blessings of both Mulayam and Shivpal Yadav, a cabinet minister in Akhilesh government.
However, the decision taken to ‘win over’ minority votes in eastern UP was overturned by the SP parliamentary board which called off the merger, that paved the way for Balram’s re-induction in the ministry.
According to party insiders, during the parliamentary board meeting, Ramgopal Yadav had supported Akhilesh on the Ansari issue, leaving Shivpal in a spot. The party had on Saturday revoked its merger with gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari’s Qaumi Ekta Dal (QED).
“The SP is divided into three power camps – Mulayam, Shivpal and Ramgopal Yadav. Everybody is trying to gain ascendancy within the party. While nominating Amar Singh for a Rajya Sabha seat, Mulayam took the decision despite the opposition from others,” a political expert said.
“Why does the media create all this controversy,” asked Amar Singh, adding “we are all here and we are united. Shivpal ji had earlier commitments and could not make it. The media loves blowing things out of proportion.”