Earlier today, Shivpal met Akhilesh in Lucknow, but the meeting lasted for only 15 minutes. Mulayam tried to broker a peace deal between his warring brother and son.
His efforts, however, have failed to diffuse the tension as Shivpal handed his resignation from all party and government posts to Akhilesh. There were indications that Shivpal will be tasked with the herculean effort of navigating the party through the upcoming state assembly elections, while Akhilesh will concentrate on carrying the message of development to the people.
On Tuesday, Akhilesh was replaced by Shivpal as the party's state chief. A day after he was replaced, the chief minister stripped his uncle Shivpal of three key ministerial berths. The turf war escalated with the sacking of Uttar Pradesh chief secretary Deepak Singhal, who is considered to be close to Shivpal, and two cabinet ministers.
However, Akhilesh clarified that there was no rift within the family but hinted at trouble brewing withing the government. He lamented that "outsiders" were interfering in party affairs. Akhilesh found backing from Mulayam's brother Ram Gopal, who said that the SP leadership made a mistake replacing his nephew. Ram Gopal, who met Akhilesh in Lucknow, said the SP leadership made a "mistake" even if "unintentional" by removing and not seeking the resignation of Akhilesh from the post of state party president. He said the Chief Minister would have quit the party post had his resignation been sought.
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