[dropcap]T[/dropcap]o conclude the on-going drama in Samajwadi Party (SP), finally Mulayam Singh Yadav communicated to the Election Commission (EC) that he remained the Samajwadi Party President and termed the convention called by the camp of his son and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav “unconstitutional.” He asserted that the party’s electoral symbol, ‘Cycle’, should remain with his camp. According to me, this is netaji’s strategy to project his son as a progressive and strong leader in order to help the latter and improve his chances of retaining power after the much hyped UP Assembly Elections. Without such a beautifully orchestrated drama, the party had no chance to win the assembly even by having an alliance with the Congress Party. This is a real ‘masterstroke’ by Samajwadi leader. Now, the ‘progressive’ Akhilesh and Congress have better chances to win the UP Assembly elections which are going to be held in 7 phases. However, another assumption has been that the family’s dispute might put the entire Yadav clan in one big act. None of these theories make any sense, or have any evidence to support them. As for the CBI case against Mulayam Singh Yadav, it is as good as closed. Besides, Akhilesh Yadav is also an accused in the case.
Mulayam Singh, is very visionary leader and he was criticized during 2012 polls by most of the senior leadership and opposition for handing the CM’s post to Akhilesh Yadav. He had taken this decision to ensure that Samajwadi party has a reliable CM face today. That time also, he was very much strict in his approach and now too, whatever is going on. However, he maintained that he is the powerhouse and ensured his party’s future in the state. The conflict began, when Akhilesh was bullied by the media, calling UP as a state of four and a half CMs (Shivpal Singh Yadav, Azam Khan, Ramgopal Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav) and the remaining half is him, the tables have turned around later. Akhilesh is no more a half CM. He now knows where to put the bureaucrats. He is also aware about ministers’ work. He knows who is working at what extend. And his detailed and exemplary knowledge of public development works, policies and future projects of the government doesn’t come from briefing of experts, but his personal involvement and commitments. On the other side, Mulayam Singh Yadav is the man who wants everyone on his side and expects them to work in cohesion. He wants to get as many votes as possible. And he is not reluctant in approaching powerful regional political goons, who can get votes intimidating the impoverished and downtrodden population of the state.
Meanwhile, by sacking Akhilesh, Mulayam has not really harmed him because the former will retain his seat as MLA and continue to be the CM of the state. Other party MLAs have not been touched. So, the party’s position in UP is not really affected. Those who smell an elaborate drama in this are probably true. If Akhilesh had resigned from the party, he would have been disqualified and lost his seat. Anyone commenting on politics should not forget the law as it exists. Accompanied by his loyalists, Amar Singh and Shivpal Singh Yadav, Mr. Mulayam also contested the affidavits of party leaders submitted by the party faction owing allegiance to Akhilesh, alleging they were forged and asked the EC to get them verified. There are several conspiracy theories doing the rounds in Delhi and Lucknow alike in attempts to answer these questions.
If the whole act is scripted, why has it gone so far that going back seems impossible? It is still possible that Mulayam Singh Yadav may forgive Akhilesh and reinstate him in the party and let him spearhead the election campaign as he wishes, but after Sunday’s developments that seems highly unlikely. As a split in the party is about to be formalised, with both sides fighting to keep the cycle symbol, it will soon be clear if the drama was scripted. It is being widely said that Mulayam has been promised by or is lobbying with the BJP to be made India’s next president or vice-president.
One of the first things Amar Singh did after being appointed national general secretary of the SP in September was to take Mulayam Singh Yadav to meet Ram Jethmalani, the veteran lawyer whom all powerful politicians want. A little birdie tells us that Mulayam sought Jethmalani’s help with his case, and also repeated his usual rant about how he almost became prime minister. There is no clarity over why the split between Mulayam and Akhilesh appears so bitter that he has sacked his son from the party. Be it Mulayam’s ambitions to become prime minister or president, or whatever he needs to do to get the CBI to officially close the cases, why would Akhilesh Yadav not be appreciative of or helpful in these concerns?
It has been very clear for a long time that Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son haven’t been getting along. As Akhilesh Yadav has been trying to become his own man since May 2014, Mulayam Singh Yadav has been feeling increasingly insecure. As the generation changes, the preferences too change. In the recent past, Akhilesh has become more popular than his father. Mulayam’s jealousy and frustration is apparent. He keeps repeating: I built the party, I won four elections, I made Akhilesh the chief minister.
No doubt, he worked hard and built the party. Akhilesh was nowhere then? The party was formed in 1992. Mulayam resigned as chief minister, left Janata Dal and formed the (Samajwadi) party. He toured the whole state and built the party. The son is just enjoying the fruits. Anyway, inducting Akhilesh into politics and making him CM of the state too was Mulayam Singh’s decision, now voters are with his son. Surely, Netaji is aware about what a split means, not just for the party but also for himself at the age of 77. Mulayam passed on the baton to his son like a good patriarch while he is still alive, so that there is no confusion after he is gone. Like a good patriarch, he expected his son to be obedient and subservient to him while he is still around. That is the cruces of the entire saga, both son and father played it well. Let’s see after so much of exercise, whether they will regain power or not?
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