Key meet today, MSY loyalists asked to watch Ramgopal’s men
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Sunday evening directed loyal party leaders to keep watch on the activities of the supporters of expelled party national general secretary Ramgopal Yadav.
He also indicated that the leaders who dissented against the party leadership would be shown the door.
The SP patriarch, who held a meeting with senior leaders at his 5-Vikramaditya Marg residence, remained tightlipped about the feud in the party but told journalists on emerging from the meeting that he would speak tomorrow (Monday).
Soon after SP state president Shivpal Yadav announced the expulsion of Ramgopal, a meeting of senior leaders was held at Mulayam’s official residence at 5 Vikaramaditya Marg.
Fearing that Ramgopal might try to throw a spanner in the Monday meeting, Mulayam directed the party leaders to keep tabs 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.
In the hour-long meeting, Shivpal assured Mulayam that a majority of the MLAs and MLCs have given their consent to attending the meeting and have expressed their loyalty to the leadership
LUCKNOW: By expelling Ramgopal, Netaji has warned that he will not tolerate dissension. The leaders who wish to continue in the party will have to fall in line SENIOR LEADER
of Mulayam. Sources said Mulayam also spoke to Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Ajit Singh on telephone. “The alliance between the SP-RLD would be discussed after the Monday’s meeting,” the SP leader said.
“All the MLAs and leaders will express faith in the leadership of Mulayam at the meeting,” said a senior leader.
The expelled ministers Om Prakash Singh, Shadab Fatima and Narad Rai and party spokesperson Ashok Bajpai also met Mulayam. Transport minister Gayatri Prajapati, who has been made chairman of the party silver jubilee celebration, was also present. “He (Mulayam) will gear up the party leaders for the assembly election in the Monday meeting,” Shivpal told journalists after coming out of the meeting.
The party’s national vicepresident Kiranmoy Nanda and other senior leaders Beni Prasad Verma, Naresh Agarwal and Rewati Raman Singh too met Mulayam and discussed the strategy for the Monday’s meeting. Later, Nanda, Verma and Rewati Raman Singh met Akhilesh, requesting him to attend the Monday’s meeting.
The MLAs who attended the meeting held under the chairmanship of Akhilesh in the morning were told to sign a register before entering the meeting hall.
“The signatures might be used as a show of strength by the Akhilesh group if the rift widens,” said another senior leader who did not wish to be named.