Shivpal’s return to family fold has left BJP frustrated: Akhilesh

AGRA/LUCKNOW : Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday alleged that the return of his uncle and Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party-Lohia (PSPL) president Shivpal Yadav to the family fold had left the BJP frustrated and they were targeting the former in vengeance. Akhilesh termed his ‘chacha’ (Shivpal) a seasoned politician capable of giving a befitting reply to the saffron party.

The SP chief was addressing public meeting in Reda village of Mainpuri. His reaction came after UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday mocked at Shivpal Yadav for changing sides, likening him to a football and a pendulum, during his public address in Karhal area of bypoll-bound Mainpuri. The bypoll on Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat is to be held on December 5, along with Rampur Sadar and Khatauli assembly bypolls.

“The word pendulum is being used without him having any knowledge of physics. Does the chief minister know how to play football? The BJP only knows the game of hatred and division in society…they are ridden by vengeance,” alleged Yadav.

“The BJP is aware of its defeat in Mainpuri by-election and is resorting to such tactics. It is targeting Shivpal Yadav who has expressed his commitment towards Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav),” said Akhilesh . “The entire nation has its eyes on the Mainpuri bypoll as it is the first election after the demise of Mulayam Singh Yadav. Voters in Mainpuri will pay tribute to Netaji by ensuring a landslide victory of SP candidate Dimple Yadav,” he stated. With the war of words between the defending SP and the ruling BJP in the crucial Mainpuri Lok Sabha bypolls getting intense, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav counter-attacked the BJP over the ruling party’s frequent attacks on SP over dynasty politics, listing 18 pairs of BJP leaders and their kin in politics.

The BJP’s attack on the SP over dynastic politics has intensified since Akhilesh fielded Dimple Yadav to defend the seat and Shivpal Yadav reunited with Akhilesh. While the BJP had been attacking the SP over ‘chachabhatija- bahu ( uncle, nephew, daughter-in-law) comments, Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday morning tweeted a photochart with 18 pairs of BJP leaders and their relatives in politics.

Akhilesh’s post lists veteran BJP leaders BS Yeddyurappa, Rajnath Singh, Vasundhra Raje Scindia, Raman Singh, G Fadnavis, Kailash Vijayvargiya and others with their relatives iin government or senior positions