It is not a fight within the family but the government: Akhilesh

'' Yes, there is a tussle going on but that is limited to government and nothing to do with the family,'' he said while seeking to clear the airs about the differences between him and his uncle and senior party leader Shivpal Yadav. Speaking to media persons at an event at his official residence, the UP CM looked unfazed at the series of developments which had taken place since last Monday and made a loaded statement, without divulging further, that the interference of any 'outsider' will only hamper the functioning of the party and will not be tolerated.

In reply to a pointed question if the decision to sack Mining minister Gayatri Prajapati, stripping Shivpal of major portfolios and removal of Chief Secreatry Deepak Singhal had no approval of Samajwadi Party President Mulayam Singh Yadav, he said '' some decisions had his consent while some are taken by me also.'' To the removal of Deepak Singhal, considered close to his uncle Shivpal Yadav, the CM asserted that Shivpal Yadav knew it very well who removed the former.

He went on to emphasise that the word of Mulayam was acceptable to all in the party. '' ..but still some decisions are taken by me.''

It may be recalled that the sacking of two ministers including Gaytari Prajapati on Monday and removal of Deepak Singhal on Tuesday was followed by appointment of Shivpal as the state party chief on Tuesday. In what looked like a retaliatory action, the Chief Minister snatched three major portfolios of PWD, Cooperative and Irrigation from Shivpal and assigned him rather insignificant departments.

Amid threats of resigning from all the party posts, Shivpal has reached Delhi to have talks with the party supremo Mulayam to discuss the state's political situation which remains fluid at the moment.