Mulayam cracks the whip, tells his MLAs to behave

SP chief warns against taking law in their hands

Concerned over perceived negative image of Akhilesh Yadav government in the wake of bickering and infighting among ministers and MLAs, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav has asked them to adhere strictly to the party discipline failing which stern action could be taken.

Chairing a meeting of the party MLAs here on Tuesday senior Yadav told them to concentrate on resolving issues related to the common man rather than getting involved in transfers and postings. He also asked them not to break law under any circumstances.

“We must keep the faith reposed by the people in us intact. The people have given us a decisive mandate and we must fulfil what the people want from us,” Mulayam said.   According to sources, he appeared ‘concerned’ over a perceived negative image of the government and son Akhilesh Yadav owing largely to the war of words among the ministers, infighting, irresponsible statements by leaders and the unbridled legislators.

Party supremo warned the legislators against taking law in their hands and said the party will not protect them, party leaders said.

The SP chief had asked the legislators to respect the law and accord due regard to the officials. But it appears that the directives have fallen on deaf ears.

Mulayam appeared to be upset over continued bickering among senior leaders and said that their infighting could serious damage party’s prospects in the next Lok Sabha elections in 2014, according to sources.

A senior SP leader, present at the meeting said the supremo felt that the alleged deteriorating law and order situation, power shortage, unbridled legislators, attacks on Dalits and vandalisation of Mayawati’s and Ambedkar’s statues had not only dented the image of the government but had given the Opposition, especially the BSP, an opportunity to resurrect itself in the state.

“Never in the past had the party such a problem. Mulayam had always been in full control of the party. But things have changed dramatically after Akhilesh’s anointment”, the leader remarked.

The party, in a bid to reign in ‘outspoken’ leaders, had recently issued a gag order and authorised only four persons namely Mulayam, Ram Gopal Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav and Rajendra Chaudhary to speak to the media on party matter. But that too had not gone well with the senior leaders.