MULAYAM, SHIVPAL ON SAME STAGE

LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday shared the stage with his brother Shivpal Yadav, who has recently formed the Samajwadi Secular Morcha (SSM), at a programme organised on the death anniversary of socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia.

In September, Shivpal had shared stage with his son and SP chief Akhilesh, which was seen by political observers as a setback to Shivpal. “Wherever there is injustice, be it in family, village or city, voice must be raised against it,” Mulayam said.

State Congress media coordinator Rajiv Bakshi said the handing over of the bungalow was a reflection of the growing proximity between Shivpal and the BJP. “When you help somebody, you are bound to be helped,” he said.

Shivpal, however, brushed aside the opposition parties allegations, stating “I have been allotted the bungalow as there were intelligence reports of threats to me,” he said.

UP BJP spokesman Shalabh Mani Tripathi said no politics should be seen in the allotment of bungalow to Shivpal. “He is a senior leader and a former minister and legislator. His seniority must have been taken into account for the allotment,” he said.

Upendra Singh, a Shivpal supporter, said the bungalow will be used as the office of the Morcha. “Shivpal has also launched frontal organisations which will be accommodated in the bungalow,” he said.

An estate department officer, who did not wish to be named, said the bungalows vacated by other former CMS would be also allotted to senior politicians.