No conflict in the party over Mukhtar issue:  UP CM

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has thrown an open invitation to former BSP leader Swami Prasad Maurya in his party fold commenting “ he is a good person but was in the wrong party.’’

Indicating induction of Maurya in Samajwadi Party, the UP CM said he had already mentioned in the assembly that the former Leader of Opposition , who resigned from Bahujan Samaj Party on Tuesday, maintained good relations with him.

Akhilesh, however, did not divulge further and also downplayed the reports of inner bickering in the party rank and file over merger of mafia-turned politician Mukhtar Ansari’s Qaumi Ekta Dal in the SP.

Mulayam’s decision is overbearing on all

• Akhilesh said the issue of merger of Mukhtar’s party is internal matter of SP.
• There is no conflict among the top leadership over this.
• Party President Mulayam Singh Yadav’s decision is acceptable to all in the party.
• Same rule applies to sacking of Cabinet Minister Balram Yadav.

It may be recalled that earlier, the Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had expressed his annoyance over party’s decision to merge QED in the SP. He had promptly sacked Balram Yadav from the cabinet as he was considered to be instrumental in getting merger done.