FAISAL FAREED
LUCKNOW: The silver jubilee celebrations of Samajwadi Party may not have succeeded in ending the squabble in Yadav family but it ended with two achievements.
Firstly, it gave message that Yadav satrap Mulayam Singh still holds the fort and is the unanimous choice among old horses for any possible anti BJP front. Secondly, the celebrations also established that young turk Akhilesh Yadav is all set with scales tilted totally in his favour both within SP and in Yadav family.
The first achievement was done with the presence of several leaders like RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, RLD supreme Ajit Singh, JD (U) chief Sharad Yadav, JD (S) leader and former PM H D Dewegowda, INLD leader Abhay Chautala—all reaffirming that Mulayam is their leader and now the onus is on him to move ahead for fighting the BJP across the country. A visibly happy Mulayam too assured the galaxy of leaders who were once his colleagues in old socialist days. For him it was his comeback on national arena after the humiliating defeat which SP suffered in 2014 by just winning five seats.
Secondly, the developments also cemented that succession has completed successfully in SP and Akhilesh is the new face for party both in elections and also for organization. Though Akhilesh’s bete noire Shivpal Yadav was the organizer of the event it was Akhilesh everywhere in the event. Such was the craze that whenever Akhilesh rose or the speakers took his name, the crowd of SP workers clapped. Every leader who had assembled tried to mention Akhilesh’s name as the present and future leader. Lalu even brought both Akhilesh and Shivpal together and so did Dewegowda.
However Shivpal tried to win sympathy but failed by pouring his heart out. His statements—insult me, sack me but will not tolerate insult of Netaji. I will give even blood for you. I have done a lot of sangharsh. Some people get things in succession—-failed to evoke any response.
Despite a softer Shivpal, Akhilesh did not mince words and claimed that some people will understand only when everything will be lost for SP. When he was presented with sword, he remarked that though he is given a sword but he is not allowed to use it. He assured that with his development plank, he will be able to win the election and defeat BJP.
Don’t be surprised if in coming days Shivpal even loses the state presidentship of party with Akhilesh getting full control. The next round is awaited when there is ticket distribution in party with each leader trying to get larger share.