New Delhi :
The estranged uncle of Samajwadi Party (SP) chief and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, who had quit the party and floated his own outfit, has recently dropped a major hint of "homecoming". Though he refused rumours of merger but kept the door open by saying that if the SP chief approaches, he will think of an alliance.
"We will not be going for any kind of merger with any party. However, if SP chief Akhilesh Yadav approaches us for an alliance, we can think about it," he said.
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav too sounded positive when was asked about the possibility of Shivpal Yadav re-joining the party. He said, "There is democracy in our family. Our party is open to anyone who wants to come. Everyone is welcome here."
Shivpal, who is the younger brother of Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, had quit the party last year, saying he was not getting enough respect and floated his own political outfit – the Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (PSP).
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Known for his strong ground presence in certain areas of Uttar Pradesh, Shivpal had fielded candidates on all seats, except Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Mainpuri constituency, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. While his party didn’t win a single seat, it is believed to have inflicted severe damage to the prospects of SP-BSP alliance.
Recently, the Samajwadi Party moved a request before the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker, seeking disqualification of Shivpal’s Assembly membership. He is the sitting MLA from Jaswant Nagar Assembly constituency.
Shivpal said that if his Assembly membership is revoked, he will again contest election from Jaswant Nagar, which is considered as his bastion. "If elections are held, I will contest from Jaswant Nagar seat only. Jaswant Nagar is my stronghold and those who will contest against me will even lose their deposit,” he said.
