LUCKNOW: Be it a political compulsion ahead of the high-stake assembly polls, or a sign of thaw between the warring factions of the Yadav clan, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said he talked to uncle Shivpal on phone about the 2022 elections. The statement comes a week after Shivpal went public saying that SP chief does not take his call even though CM Yogi Adityanath does.
Responding to a query in Mainpuri on Tuesday over possibilities of shaking hands with uncle Shivpal ahead of the polls, Akhilesh said: “He is heading a party. We will accommodate his party. We will be duly honoured.” However, what came as a surprise for many was his statement that he had talked to Shivpal on phone. “Batcheet phone par bhi hui hai (Have had a telephonic conversation)” Akhilesh said.
Speaking at an event in Lucknow on August 27, Shivpal had minced no words while talking about the status of his relations with Akhilesh.
Party insiders, however, have ruled out any possibility of a merger between the two parties. “There has been no discussion on this but during earlier alliances, there were instances where candidates from other parties have contested on an SP ticket and symbol as a goodwill gesture and it might be repeated in 2022 elections,” said a source.
