 "MLAs to select chief minister after polls, says Mulayam")
Adding another twist to the ongoing power struggle in the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Yadav clan in Uttar Pradesh, SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav on Tuesday said the party's chief minister would be decided by the winning party legislators after the 2017 elections.
Replying to a question at a a hurriedly convened press conference at the party office here, Mulayam said all the political parties followed similar democratic process to elect their leader after polls and SP would do the same.
Mulayam was flanked by his younger brother Shivpal Singh Yadav and three other ministers viz. Om Prakash Singh, Narad Rai and Shadab Fatima, who were sacked by CM Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday.
Although the CM was expected to join the proceedings to indicate a thaw in the worsening state of affairs in the party, he remained absent from the venue. The party has witnessed public acrimony, arguments and trading of allegations between its top leadership of late.
Mulayam maintained Akhilesh would remain the CM for the remaining term even as he brushed aside suggestions from some party quarters that urged him to take over the reigns. He observed that only a few months were left in the present tenure and soon the poll model code of conduct would come into force, which does not leave any time to do any worthwhile work.
Mulayam claimed the people of UP had given votes to SP on his name during the 2012 UP polls, however, he decided to anoint Akhilesh as the CM.
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Meanwhile, he stressed that the 'party, family and cadres' remained united even in the prevailing challenging times.
Earlier, he read out a written statement claiming he was a socialist and followed the path shown by socialist ideologue Ram Manohar Lohia. The SP president maintained he would continue to work for the people and also urged party cadres to tread the same path and work for the benefit of society.
There was no word if Akhilesh would reinstate Shivpal and three other sacked ministers in the cabinet. Mulayam said it was for the CM to take the call.
Mulayam continued to stand by party MP Amar Singh who is being blamed by Akhilesh and expelled party leader Ramgopal Yadav for the crisis. "Why do you drag his name to all this," Mulayam retorted when a scribe asked if action would be taken against Amar Singh as demanded by Akhilesh and some other party leaders.
He claimed some conspirators, with no support base, had been targetting Amar Singh for no reason, in an oblique reference to Ramgopal.
As things stand, the standoff in SP continues with the rival factions led by Akhilesh on one side and Shivpal being supported by Mulayam on the other side. Both the SP leaders are refusing to budge from their respective positions.
On Monday, Mulayam asserted his authority in party by declaring that Amar Singh would remain in SP. He said Singh had helped him at crucial junctures and saved him from going to jail.
The party's meeting of party leaders and legislators had witnessed some ugly scenes and heckling at the dais as well, a first in SP.