Mulayam Singh Yadav sends brother Shivpal’s name for ticket to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav

Earlier in the day, Mulayam had sent Akhilesh the names of 38 candidates whom he wanted to be accommodated in Samajwadi Party's electoral list. Shivpal Yadav's name was missing.

Lucknow, Jan 17: Ousted president of Samajwadi Party, Mulayam Singh Yadav, is reportedly lobbying for a ticket to his brother Shivpal Singh Yadav. According to NDTV, Mulayam has requested his son and new supremo of Samajwadi party, Akhilesh Yadav, to allot a ticket to Shivpal. The latter was earlier holding more than a dozen ministries in the incumbent Akhilesh government in Uttar Pradesh.

Official confirmation to this development remains awaited. Shivpal, along with Amar Singh, wa primarily at loggerheads with Akhilesh in the internal feud of Samajwadi Party. The possibility of Akhilesh rejecting his father’s request to accommodate Shivpal could not be ruled out. The triggering point of the family warfare could be traced back to September 2016, when Akhilesh dropped uncle Shivpal from his cabinet.

Shivpal is currently representing the Jaswantnagar seat in Uttar Pradesh assembly. He was elected with a decisive mandate in the 2012 polls. Shivpal has represented the seat for four consecutive terms. Mulayam has also been the MLA from the constituency.

Earlier in the day, Mulayam had sent Akhilesh the names of 38 candidates whom he wanted to be allotted the SP ticket. The list included the name of Shivpal’s son Aditya. However, Shivpal was not mentioned in the list.

Earlier, Shivpal had reportedly said that he would not be contesting the upcoming polls.

Mulayam showing signs of reconciliation with his son came as a surprise as he battled against him at the Election Commission office till Monday. The Samajwadi Party patriarch also went out to describe his own son as anti-Muslim and claimed that in the upcoming polls, he may also contest against his own son to safeguard the interests of Muslims. “When I got a Muslim to be appointed as the DGP of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh did not speak to me till 15 days. Akhilesh is being misguided by Ram Gopal Yadav. He is hand-in-glove with BJP. He wants to turn Akhilesh against Muslims,” Mulayam had said.

Making a political pitch towards Muslims, who represent the 20 per cent electorate, Mulayam had said, “Muslims of UP know that I will always stand for them. I can die for them. Everyone knows what I did to prevent the demolition of Babri Masjid. I will not allow the communal forces to make an entry into Uttar Pradesh,” he added.