In a bid to end the raging feud in the family, Mulayam Singh Yadav was today working on a compromise formula even as both his brother Shivpal Yadav and son Akhilesh Yadav said they would comply with whatever Samajwadi Party supremo says.
SP insiders said that as part of the compromise formula, disgruntled Shivpal is likely to get back the three key ministries that his nephew Chief Minister Akhilesh took away from him earlier this week, which had brought the war out in the open.
Besides, sacked Mines minister Gayatri Prajapati could be accommodated in the ministry, but with a different portfolio.
Setting in motion the reconciliation process, Mulayam Singh as well as Akhilesh rejected Shivpal's resignation from the Cabinet as well as the head of state party unit, to which he was appointed two days ago replacing Akhilesh.
"Netaji (Mulayam) has heard all of us. He will talk to to some others if he wants and will take decision by tomorrow," Shivpal said, indicating a truce was on the anvil.
Akhilesh said at a function that he has rejected the resignation of Shivpal and he will comply with whatever his father directs.
"Netaji (Mulayam) will find a solution (to the current crisis) and everyone will accept it," he said.
Shivpal, who resigned last night as a minister and as state party unit head, today said he continues as UP party chief and is preparing for electoral challenge ahead but was evasive whether he will go back to the government.
"That (resignation from party post) has not been accepted. When I have said that for me, Netaji's hint is an order...Akhilesh has also said so. So where is the feud anymore," he said.
At the same time, he indicated that he may not return to the government. "Look, I have resigned only recently. I have got a bigger responsibility. Elections are near and I have to work for the polls. Who is bothered about portfolios? I had only one portfolio, so I said why only one. I will work for the party."
Earlier this morning, Mulayam also broke his silence over the five-day no holds barred family war, saying, "There can be no division in the party, till I am there."
The party supremo, who rushed here last evening from Delhi to douse the raging flames of feud, said, "We have a big family, differences may occur...There is no fight between Shivpal Yadav and Akhilesh."
He has met Shivpal and Akhilesh separately and then together to ensure that the crisis was resolved.
Mulayam said his son and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will not defy his words and announced that sacked mining minister Gayatri Prajapati will be taken back in the UP Cabinet, considered a bone of contention between Shivpal and Akhilesh.
Akhilesh, on his part, told a news channel, "I have two duties, as Chief Minister and as son.
As huge crowd of supporters gathered outside his house
this morning in the wake of his resignation, Shivpal told them, "Netaji's word is final."
"We all have to strengthen Samajwadi Party. We are with Netaji (Mulayam). His message is an order for us. We will not let the party be weakened. In every situation, we are with Netaji," Shivpal told slogan-shouting party-men outside his 7 Kalidas Marg residence here.
The partymen had gathered in his support since last night after he submitted his resignation to Mulayam as ruling Samajwadi Party's Uttar Pradesh unit head and as a minister in the cabinet of nephew Akhilesh.
The SP supremo said it was election time and all should come together to work unitedly. "There is no fight among Ramgopal, Akhilesh and Shivpal," he told reporters as slogans in favour of Shivpal drowned his remarks.
As the crisis threatened to cast a shadow over the SP's prospects in the upcoming Assembly elections, Mulayam sought to downplay the developments saying, "Every father and son faces issues....There is no rift."
"Samajwadi Party is a family. There are no differences in the party," he said.
Mulayam also defended Prajapati who was dropped by Akhilesh as Mining Minister, saying, "the order of his sacking will be rescinded".
Throughout the day, the ruling party circles witnessed hectic confabulations with a number of legislators and ministers meeting Shivpal. Prajapati was among those who went to Shivpal's residence.
Akhilesh, who participated at India TV's 'Chunav Manch' conclave here, laid bare his angst, saying he "felt bad" after being removed as Samajwadi Party state president and demanded that he be given a say in ticket distribution for the 2017 Assembly election.
Akhilesh said he has rejected the resignation of Shivpal and he will comply with his father and party supremo Mulayam Singh's Yadav direction to reinduct sacked Mining Minister Prajapati, adding that "Netaji will find a solution (to the current crisis) and everyone will accept it".
