Hindustan Times (Delhi)

Mulayam: Keep an eye on Ramgopal’s men

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LUCKNOW: SPchief MulayamSin­gh Yadav directed loyalists on Sunday to keep a watch on the activities of Ramgopal Yadav’s supporters.

He also indicated that those who dissented against the party leadership would be shown the door. The SP patriarch, who held a meeting withsenior­leadersath­isresidenc­e, remainedti­ghtlippeda­boutthefeu­d in the party but told mediaperso­ns, “I will speak tomorrow (Monday).”

Soon after SP state president Shivpal Singh Yadav announced Ramgopal’s expulsion, a meeting of senior leaders was held under Mulayam’s chairmansh­ip at his official residence. Fearing that Ramgopal may try to throw a spanner in the crucial meeting on Monday, Mulayam directed the party leaders to keep a tab on the activities of the MLAs and leaders loyal to Ramgopal.

Both sitting and former MLAs, MLCs and MPs have been invited to the meeting. “By expelling Ramgopal, Netaji (Mulayam) has warned that he will not tolerate dissension. The leaders who wish to continue in the party will have to fall in line,” said a senior leader.

The MLAs who attended the meeting under the chairmansh­ip of Akhilesh Yadav in the morning were told to sign a register before entering the meeting hall. In the hour-longmeetin­g,Shivpalass­ured Mulayam that a majority of the MLAs and MLCs have given their consent to attending the meeting and have expressed their loyalty to Mulayam’s leadership.

Sources said Mulayam spoke to Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Ajit Singh over phone. “The alliance between SP, RLD will be discussed after Monday’s meeting,” the SP leader said. HTC

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