Mulayam Singh Yadav joins Akhilesh at SP office; daughter-in-law invites Shivpal as guest

LUCKNOW: As Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav joined his son and party chief Akhilesh Yadav at SP headquarters after a long time and addressed party workers, rebel SP leader Shivpal Yadav and Mulayam's ' chhoti bahu' Aparna Yadav turned up together at a wrestling event in Cantonment area of the state capital on Monday.

Mulayam and Akhilesh addressing party workers together at SP headquarters gains significance since on six previous occasions, the former had come to office and spent time with party workers when the SP chief was not around. During all his previous visits, Mulayam had addressed condolence meetings but on Monday the two jointly addressed party workers after a long gap.

Mulayam called upon party workers to strengthen SP and ensure its victory in forthcoming elections. "There is no other political party like SP because we always fulfilled the commitments made to people unlike others, particularly BJP which has failed to keep even a single promise it had made before last election," Mulayam said.

Taking on BJP for its failure to provide employment to youth and relief to farmers, the veteran politician listed the achievements of SP government by citing welfare schemes like free irrigation, education and medical assistance to poor and jobs. "The policies of SP government will ensure the party's victory in elections" he said. Akhilesh accused BJP of misleading people and cautioned party workers to be alert to saffron brigade's attempts to shift focus from real issues and divert attention of people.

Meanwhile, SP rebel Shivpal Yadav came with Mulayam's chhoti bahu Aparna Yadav who had organised an annual wrestling event held in Neelmatha area. While Shivpal, as chief guest, inaugurated the event Aparna stood besides him. On Tuesday, Shivpal will preside over a membership campaign of Samajwadi Secular Morcha (SSM) in Lucknow where he is likely to be joined by Aparna. Aparna had recently announced that after her father-in-law (Mulayam), uncle Shivpal was the one family member she respected the most. About her joining SSM, Aparna had said she will join her uncle if he wants to.