UP Polls: Another U-turn by Mulayam, Confusion galore in the SP

Lucknow: The flip-flop by Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav on election campaign for the outfit has baffled not only the party men but also leaders in other parties. None is able to find a suitable answer to it.

The family patriarch and father of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had expressed resentment over the party alliance with the Congress a couple of days ago. He had even declared that he would not campaign for the party during the seven-phase elections which will end next month.

He had also told some media persons that the alliance with the party was neither desirable nor beneficial to the Samajwadi Party. "Muslims who were supporting the Congress till late 'eighties had come to our party fold in early 1990s and they are still backing us because I have worked very hard for it. With the alliance they will back some other parties", he had feared.

He took a U-turn on Wednesday and told a television channel that not only would he campaign for the party but also the new ally, "He is my son, after all", he has been quoted as telling a channel correspondent. To his further query he is reported to have told him that "they are our ally, so why I would not do it".

Mulayam, 77, has also prepared his tour schedule. He will be on the campaign trail from the ninth of this month.

He has been critical of his son since the middle of last year when he had dropped certain members of his cabinet including his uncle and a close-confidante of Mulayam. The tussle continued for several months and ended only after he was allotted the party symbol by the Election Commission and was recognised by it as its leader.

The former chief minister was so upset that he was not present when the party manifesto was released by his son on January 22. A little later he advised his followers to contest from the seats left for the Congress--105. The alliance idea was Akhilesh's and his wife Dimple's baby. It was supported by Congress vice-president's sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. It was announced last month and leaders of the two parties have already held a joint rally to mark the pact. There is a tussle between the two on few seats but it is likely to be sorted out soon.

The blowing hot and blowing cold by Mulayam may not be beneficial to either.

Also read: Won’t campaign for SP-Congress alliance: Mulayam Singh Yadav