LUCKNOW: The war of words between chacha-bhatija got shriller on Thursday when Akhilesh Yadav’s estranged uncle Shivpal Yadav on Thursday dared the Samajwadi Party chief to sack him from SP Legislative party. Shivpal’s comment came a day after Akhilesh announced that those siding with the BJP cannot remain in Samajwadi Party.
This was the first time that the two leaders exchanged barbs since March 26 when Shivpal had openly expressed his displeasure over not being invited to the meeting of the newly elected SP MLAs at party headquarters.
That was followed by unconfirmed reports that Shivpal had met senior BJP leaders in Delhi leading to speculations of his growing bonhomie with the saffron party.
Both Shivpal and Akhilesh had, however, remained silent on the issue, at least in the media, until Akhilesh's reaction that came on Wednesday. While speaking to reporters in Agra on Wednesday, Akhilesh was asked about reports of uncle Shivpal siding with the BJP. "Jo BJP se milega wo Samajwadi mein nahin rahega(Those who will side with the BJP cannot stay in SP)," Akhilesh said.
Reacting to Akhilesh's comment, Shivpal on Thursday described the statement as irresponsible. "... ye gair zimmedarana bayan diya hai ... waise to main Samajwadi vidhan mandal dal ke 111 vidhayak jo hain uska sadasya hoon aur agar aisa unko lagta hai ki main BJP mein hoon ... to mujhe vidhan mandal se sheeghra nikal dena chahiye (It is a very irresponsible statement. I am one of the 111 MLAs in SP Legislative Party. If he feels I am with the BJP then he should immediately expel me from SP Legislative Party)," Shivpal said.
The turf war between Shivpal and Akhilesh had intensified when, responding to a media query about reports of him going with the BJP, Shivpal had said that he will announce his next move at the right time. Days later, Shivpal supported the idea of Unform Civil Code in India - an issue that has been identified with the politics of BJP. That was followed by Shivpal dissolving all national and regional units of his party - Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party-Lohia.
After years of bickering, uncle-nephew had apparently patched-up before the 2022 Assembly polls when Akhilesh called on uncle Shivpal at the latter's residence. Subsequently, Shivpal contested the polls on SP ticket and retained his Jaswantnagar seat.
But the "reunion" was shortlived. After SP's defeat in UP elections, Shivpal reportedly met PSP-L leaders and asked them to "be prepared for a big fight". Subsequently he met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, adding to speculation of joining the BJP in near future.
