SP family feud intensifies, Shivpal gives ultimatum to Akhilesh

The family feud within the Samajwadi Party (SP) intensified further with senior party leader Shivpal Singh Yadav giving an ultimatum to his nephew and SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav to relinquish his post lest the party should face a split.

Speaking to reporters at Etawah on Wednesday, Shivpal said that he was giving three month time to Akhilesh to hand over the party to SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav.

''We will form a separate party if Akhilesh fails to relinquish his post and hand over the party to Mulayam within this period,'' the SP leader said.

He said that Akhilesh had promised before the assembly polls that he would be handing over the party to Mulayam after the election results. ''It is my advice as well as request to Akhilesh to honor his promise...otherwise the party will split,'' he remarked.

Shivpal also launched a scathing attack on SP general secretary and Akhilesh confidante Ram Gopal Yadav and likened him to 'Shakuni'. ''My advice to Shakuni is to read the Gita,'' he said.

Shivpal's remarks came in response to Ram Gopal's comments a few days back that the former should read the constitution of SP before seeking resignation of Akhilesh.

Ram Gopal had said that Akhilesh would not resign under any circumstances and that there was no question of handing over the party to Mulayam.

Shivpal had indicated that the family could be united if Akhilesh stepped back and resign from the post of national president accepting moral responsibility for the party's dismal performance in the recent assembly polls.