Mulayam, Shivpal to form secular front under Lok Dal?
Lucknow, Sept. 22: Samajwadi Party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav and his brother Shivpal Yadav are likely to work for the formation of a secular front under the banner of Lok Dal, according to Lok Dal national president Sunil Singh.
Fresh strains are palpable in the SP ahead of its state and national convention, with Mulayam on Thursday dumping Akhilesh-loyalist Ram Gopal Yadav from the post of secretary of the Lohia Trust and appointing Shivpal Yadav in his place.
“Netaji (Mulayam), who is also founder member of the Lok Dal, and Shivpal will be with us and work for formation of a secular front. They will hold a joint press conference with us on Monday,” the Lok Dal national president told PTI on Friday.
“I have had talks with Shivpalji and initially efforts will be for formation of a secular front under the banner of Lok Dal,” Mr Singh claimed.
Mr Singh’s statement assumes significance against the backdrop of Shivpal’s announcement in June that he would float the Samajwadi Secular Front “to fight communal forces”.
“As there is no sign of any truce in the SP, it is a crucial time for Shivpal to decide his future course,” a close confidant of Shivpal said.
When asked about Mr Singh’s claims that Mulayam and Shivpal will work under the banner of Lok Dal, another Shivpal loyalist said, “Mulayam may not like to shun the Samajwadi tag. The situation will be clear on Monday when netaji will disclose his future course of action.”