Setback to Akhilesh, SP chief Mulayam says next CM to be decided after 2017 UP polls

New Delhi: In yet another indication that all is not well within the party, Samjawadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav said on Friday that a decision on the next chief ministerial candidate will be taken after analysing the outcome of the 2017 assembly elections.

The party will decide on the next chief ministerial candidate only after the results of the 2017 assembly elections are announced, SP chief Mulayam Singh said in a press conference today.

The announcement by the veteran Samajawadi Party leader is important since Uttar Pradesh' ruling party has been in news recently over reports of a bitter rift between young Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his powerful uncle Shivpal Yadav.

In view of the internal feud between Akhilesh and Shivpal, Mulayam also issued a clarification and said, “There is no internal rift in the party”.

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Mulayam also took credit for the success of Samajwadi Party - which is turning 25 years old since it was found - and said, “the party has attained its current position because of me”.

The remarks by Mulayam Singh came hours after Uttar Pradesh CM said he “might be cornered, but he will not lose the Uttar Pradesh battle”.  

In an interview to an English daily, Akhilesh had said that “if required,  he might single-handedly start campaigning for the 2017 assembly elections”.

''When I was a child, there was no one to name me. In the same way, I think I will have to start my election campaign on my own, without waiting for anyone,” he said.
Due to feud in Akhilesh‘s  family,  the prospects of the party have landed in soup.

Akhilesh, however, showed confidence about returning to the office for a second term.

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“I am not being pompous. But, just like a perfect batsman whose runs flow from his bat and creates records. My unprecedented development work will ensure my return to power,” he said.

On being reminded that how his family feud has overpowered his development initiatives, he said “I reiterate that Akhilesh Yadav can be cornered for the time being, but cannot be defeated. People of the state have faith in me and they will return me to power to serve them. They have realised that if I can deliver so much despite being inexperienced, as branded by the Opposition, I would take the state to newer heights in my second innings.”

However, he called it a “media creation” and admitted that the “turn of events” was the reason why he delayed his poll campaign.

“It all started on September 12, and now it is mid-October. So, by now, I should have hit the campaign trail. But the experience I have gathered in the 14 years that I have spent in hostel has taught me how to deal with all kinds of crises. Lohia’s ideals have taught me to struggle but without violence,” he said.

While accepting the fact that the older generation have a big contribution in building the party, he said “Who was arrested thrice in the BSP regime? It was me. Who had dared burn the effigy of Mayawati during her dictatorial regime when even school-going children were being thrown into the lock-up for raising their voice against her? It was me … The younger generation has equally upheld Lohia’s ideology and propagated his message and is still working hard for the same.”