Shivpal continues to axe Akhilesh loyalists

Ignoring widespread protests, newly appointed Samajwadi Party (SP) state unit president Shivpal Singh Yadav continued axing supporters of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

According to SP sources here, Shivpal issued show-cause notices to three party legislators and four SP nominees for next year’s Assembly elections, seeking explanation for raising a banner of revolt against party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav’s decision to remove
Akhilesh as the president of the party’s state unit.

“A list of the leaders who had taken part in the demonstration in front of Shivpal and Mulayam’s residences in support of Akhilesh is being prepared....some more leaders may face action,” a Shivpal loyalist told DH. “At least a dozen leaders of youth wings may be shown the door,” he added.

SP sources said the expulsions could trigger a fresh crisis within the party. The party has been facing unprecedented dissent following action against the supporters of Akhilesh and SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav.

A large number of party office-bearers at the district level have sent in their resignations.
“The situation is quite alarming in Azamgarh, Budaon, Mainpuri and Allahabad....several senior leaders have resigned,” said a SP leader, considered to be close to Ram Gopal.

Those who have come out in the open against Shivpal included district panchayat functionaries, village pradhans, leaders of student wings and block-level office bearers of the party.

Some leaders have even written to Mulayam in blood, seeking reinstatement of Akhilesh as the state unit chief.   Shivpal had earlier expelled MLCs Sunil Singh, Anand Bhadauria and Sanjay Lathar and four presidents of the party’s youth wings on charges of anti-party activities. He had also ousted Ram Gopal’s nephew and MLC Arvind Pratap Yadav from the party over charges of land grabbing and patronising the illegal liquor mafia.

Shivpal ruled out any leniency towards these leaders, saying indiscipline would not be tolerated under any circumstances. “The party will be strengthened by their exit,” he said.