Shivpal’s nameplate brings comic relief

LUCKNOW: The changing nameplates at sacked UP minister Shivpal Yadav’s official residence in Lucknow on Wednesday brought the much needed comic relief amid the tense moments in the Samajwadi Party.

Shivpal, who is also the SP state president, got his UP minister nameplate removed from 7, Kalidas Marg. The new nameplate just read Shivpal Yadav without the minister below his name.

The order to remove the nameplate was followed while Shivpal was at the party office addressing a brief impromptu press conference over the possibility of a mahagathbandhan or grand alliance in the upcoming assembly polls.

When reporters asked Shivpal if the change meant he would vacate his official residence, he replied, “Yes, tomorrow”. He addedthathewouldrejointhemin istry if party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav asked him to.

However, just as the news of Akhilesh’s departure to the governor house came in, the old nameplate was restored in anticipation of Shivpal’s re induction.

The ugly power struggle in the family was sparked by Shivpal’s elevation as the state SP presi dent, replacing Akhilesh last month and has threatened to derail the ruling party’s pros pects in the assembly polls due early next year. Despite a claim of unity, Mulayam expelled Pawan Pandey, one of Akhilesh’s ministers, from the party on Wednesday on charges of indiscipline.