SP MLAS TO ELECT LEGISLATURE PARTY LEADER TODAY

LUCKNOW: All eyes are on the first party meet called by Akhilesh Yadav as national president of Samajwadi Party (SP) to elect its Legislature Party leader on Thursday. Party sources initially said Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shivpal Singh Yadav together are likely to attend the meet.

A late night report, however, said Mulayam left for New Delhi on Wednesday night to attend the Parliament session.

And though the brainstorming would be on party’s crushing defeat in the elections and electing leader of the opposition in the UP assembly, a pitch, according to sources, is likely to be made that Shivpal be given an ‘active role’ in the party.

“He (Mulayam) was the first person to visit Janeshwar Mishra Trust (JMT) and placate us after the party’s defeat,” said a party leader requesting anonymity.

According to him, the SP patriarch has been trying hard ever since to break the ice between his warring brother Shivpal and son Akhilesh. “Netaji (Mulayam) is playing the role of a father, who doesn’t want his son to be blamed squarely for the party’s poor performance but at the same time also wants the family and the party to unite,” he said.

But a murmuring campaign has already been started by some leaders owing allegiance to the Shivpal camp that Akhilesh should own up the party’s defeat and make way for his father.

Thursday’s meeting, however, would focus on electing the legislative party leader, who, with SP being the largest opposition party with 47 MLAs, would be the leader of the Opposition in UP assembly. Since Akhilesh is a member of the legislative council and hence cannot take up the job, the names of party veterans like Azam Khan, Ram Govind Chowdhary and Shivpal etc. are doing the round. Khan was a parliamentary affairs minister in the outgoing government and has sound knowledge of parliamentary affairs. But not many in the party feel he would be Akhilesh’s choice. Shivpal too is expected to get the short shrift if his name is suggested for the post. After his ‘ghamand toot gaya’ (a jolt to one’s pride) remark soon after SP’s defeat, Shivpal seems to have changed tune and now tweeted “hum ladengey aur milkar phir jeetengey” (We will fight again and win together).

As a member of Legislative Council, Akhikesh could take over as the leader of the opposition in the Upper House, replacing senior MLC Ahmed Hasan, who is presently holding the post. Soon after accepting defeat of his party, Akhilesh had promised to play the role of constructive opposition in the state and it would be first time when he will sit in the Opposition in the House.