Staying with SP hinges on how I'm treated: Shivpal

Shivpal Yadav, sidelined from the Samajwadi Party by his nephew and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh, has hinted that he would quit the ruling outfit after the Assembly polls.

Ahead of the fourth phase of the polls, Yadav said his future depends on how he is treated inside the party.  “If I’m contesting elections on an SP ticket, then I’m with the SP,” the senior leader said. “If I’m not subjected to humiliation and ridicule after March 11 (when results of the Assembly polls are out), then I’ll be with the party.”

Shivpal was completely isolated after Akhilesh’s takeover of the party, following a bitter feud with his father Mulayam.

His future in the party depends a great deal on the poll results. If the SP-Congress combine sweeps the elections, Shivpal’s position would become untenable, as he only enjoys the support of his brother Mulayam. Victory would also seal Akhilesh’s position as the leader, further eroding Mulayam’s authority and influence. On the other hand, SP sources argue that the party’s defeat would considerably weaken Akhilesh’s position.

The Akhilesh camp suspects that his estranged uncle tried to sabotage the third phase of polls, which was focused on the Yadav home turf of Etawah and adjoining districts.

But Shivpal has a different take.  “On the directions of a few top leaders,” Shivpal said, the district magistrate and the SP “ordered lathi-charge on an otherwise peaceful polling” last Sunday.

He also said that some people joined forces with the BJP candidate to plot against him in Jaswantnagar, from where he is seeking election to the Assembly.

On an earlier occasion, Shivpal had threatened to quit the party and float a new outfit, but his brother Mulayam played it down saying the family remains united.

Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha secretariat has told Amar Singh that he is now an independent member without party affiliations, after a letter from the SP to the secretary general on January 1 informed the Upper House of Singh’s expulsion.