Mulayam expels Akhilesh, Ramgopal for 6 years

In a tough action, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav today expelled his son and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav as well as general secretary Ramgopal Yadav from the party for six years for "gross indiscipline", a decision that will lead to a political crisis in Uttar Pradesh.
Making the announcement at a press conference here, Mulayam said the new Chief Minister will be chosen by the Samajwadi Party.
"We have to save the party. The party comes first. That
is why we are expelling both Akhilesh and Ramgopal," Mulayam said.
He explained that the decision was taken after Ramgopal, in his capacity as general secretary, called an emergency meeting of the party on January 1 and Akhilesh "supported" it.

Ramgopal called the meeting after a showcause notice was issued to him and Akhilesh by Mulayam for releasing a list of candidates, parallel to the one issued officially by Mulayam.

"How can he (Akhilesh) release the list when the party has declared its candidates? Both Akhilesh and Ramgopal want to finish the party. I will not let it happen. I have built this party through hard work," Mulayam said.
"I had made Akhilesh the Chief Minister with much fanfare," he added.
With regard to the emergency meeting called by Ramgopal on Sunday, Mulayam said only the party president has the power to convene such a meeting. "The party cannot run on Ramgopal's whims," Mulayam said.

He said Ramgopal has not only indulged in indiscipline but is causing a big harm to the party. "As of now we have expelled him, but we will take further action against him," he party chief asserted.
Pouring scorn on Ramgopal, Mulayam said he has "ruined" the finishing career of Akhilesh who "does not understand".