By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net
While Samajwadi Party began its election campaign officially by organizing a mammoth rally at Ghazipur on Wednesday, the party witnessed two major transformations: Mukhtar Ansari’s Qaumi Ekta Dal officially became a part of the SP and another son rose in the party with Aditya Yadav, the son of Shivpal Yadav taking centerstage in absence of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.
SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav who addressed the rally was critical of PM Narendra Modi for demonetization, even though he gave enough indication to his workers that truce in his family which was achieved on November 21 in Unnao during inauguration of Agra-Lucknow Expressway was temporary.
“I asked him (Akhilesh) to reinstate the sacked ministers (three of them, all close to Shivpal) but he did not heed. This way you cannot run the party by dabangai. He is ziddi. Don’t know what is going on,” Mulayam said. The three former ministers—Om Prakash Singh, Narad Rai and Shadab Fatima—were prominent on the stage. Mulayam’s desperation summed up the developments in the party. He conveyed that his every decision may not be followed by Akhilesh. For the remaining part Mulayam remained same—lashing out at Modi for his actions and invoking socialists ideologues like Rajnarain and Lohia.
The first development was role of QED leaders during the rally. It was the first time that they were rubbing shoulders with SP workers. Hoardings were erected with the pictures of three Ansari brothers—Afzal, Mukhtar and Sighatullah—in SP colours. Their supporters also turned out in large numbers. Mulayam appreciated them and admitted that it will be a big advantage for the party in the eastern region of the state. Afzal was on the stage but sat in second row. He was requested by Narad Rai to take seat in first row. He was even given chance to address the rally. Sighatullah Ansari sat in VIP gallery but was spotted by local leaders and invited on the stage. Akhilesh has been opposing the merger of QED with SP on grounds of criminal image of Mukhtar Ansari. With Ansari brothers on stage, Akhilesh stayed away from the rally.
The second development is important for Yadav family. Another son emerged in SP: Aditya Yadav alias Ankur, son of Shivpal Yadav addressed the rally for the first time. Though Ankur is currently chairman of UP Pradeshik Cooperative Federation, the largest cooperative body of the state, he has stayed away from active political role. After the political squabble in the family between Shivpal and Akhilesh, Aditya has taken command and is now active in politics. His first managerial acumen was tested when party organized the silver jubilee celebrations on November 4 at Lucknow. Aditya managed the crowd for its success as the show was seen as a reply to Akhilesh’s mammoth Vikas Rath Yatra on October 19. Since then, Aditya has been in touch with party leaders and now calls them regularly. For the first time he was given the opportunity to address the SP rally in presence of Mulayam and his father Shivpal. The writing on the wall is clear—Aditya will be contesting his first election in coming 2017.
The Ghazipur rally also gave the message that Shivpal will continue as state president as he successfully organized the show in absence of Akhilesh. He was given due importance with Mulayam and the rally was totally in control of his close supporters.
Meanwhile, Akhilesh reached Delhi and met Ramgopal Yadav, perhaps to discuss the situation arising out of the Ghazipur rally. It will be interesting to see how the balance is achieved in coming days between Akhilesh and Shivpal when party tickets are distributed for the election.