‘Humiliated’ QED blames Akhilesh for cancellation of merger

Feeling ‘humiliated’ after cancellation of its merger with Samajwadi Party, Quami Ekta Dal (QED) leader Afzal Ansari on Tuesday blamed Uttar Pradesh Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav for calling it off because of ‘ego’ and for his own ‘branding’.

“CM Akhilesh is responsible for cancellation of the merger. He (Akhilesh) has hijacked the party and with his ego, positive attempts of party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and his brother Shivpal has no meaning,” Ansari said.

“I am feeling humiliated and hurt due to the decision. Even Mulayam and Shivpal and many leaders of the party in eastern UP are not happy with the decision of calling off the merger,” he said. Announcing QED's decision to field candidates in 44 seats in 18 districts of eastern UP for Assembly elections in 2017, Ansari said his party would show SP its ‘real place’.