SP seniors may face heat in UP

A number of senior ministers in whose constituencies the Samajwadi Party fared poorly could be asked to quit the government and shoulder responsibilities in the party organisation.

The young ministers in the Akhilesh government who could not deliver in elections may also be given marching orders.

“Our priority is to save the party from further decay. We have Assembly byelections in the coming months and then the Assembly polls are less than three years away. The party workers are completely demoralised and we are not even sure if we can win back the Lok Sabha seat that Mulayam Singh Yadav vacates. The party leadership is ready to let heads roll because the party has to be saved,” said a senior SP leader from Delhi.

Sources said Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav was keen to hand back the post of SP state president to his younger brother Shivpal Singh Yadav, who is known for his organisational skills.

Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has not yet accepted moral responsibility for the party’s poor performance in the polls. He wrote on his Facebook page: “Politicians, journalists and experts will analyse this election for many days to come. Leaders will continue to argue and disagree with issues and ideologies. A lot will be lost in these debates. What should never be forgotten is the people’s verdict. I respect and accept the people’s mandate.”