Lucknow: In a major turn of events ahead of crucial assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday expelled his son and Chief Minister Akhilesh and cousin Ram Gopal from all party posts for a period of six years over alleged anti-party activities.
Both Akhilesh and Ram Gopal Yadav have been suspended from the party for six years for indiscipline, the SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav said in a press briefing here.
”No one has the right to call for a national executive meet other than party chief, by doing this you (Ram Gopal) have hurt party’s interest, the SP chief added.
Ram Gopal Yadav has weakened the party from within, he said. The SP patriarch also warned his son to stay away from his uncle Ram Gopal.
How could Ram Gopal Yadav call for emergency national executive meet without my permission, asks Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav
Justifying his actions, Mulayam said, ”For us party is the most important and our priority is to save the party.”
The SP supremo also made an appeal to all party workers not to attend the emergency meeting called by Ram Gopal Yadav, calling it unconstitutional.
The SP patriarch had earlier issued notices to his cousin Ram Gopal Yadav and son Akhilesh over alleged anti-party activities.
Extending his full support to the CM, Ram Gopal Yadav said, “I will always be with Akhilesh, those who are his opponents are also my opponent.”
Talking to reporters, he further said that the people of Uttar Pradesh are behind Akhilesh and those who don’t stand by him will face defeat in the polls.
Asked about his view on what will happen next in the intense tussle going on within the party, he said, “Wait and watch.”
“I am not an astrologer but I am hopeful that Akhilesh’s people will contest the poll on Samajwadi Party’s symbol cycle,” he added.
Ram Gopal’s comments amid strong indications that the party may be headed for a vertical split.