Mulayam Singh Yadav expels Akhilesh, Ramgopal for 6 years

Lucknow: In a tough action, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav today expelled his son and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav as well as general secretary Ramgopal Yadav from the party for six years for “gross indiscipline”, a decision that will lead to a political crisis in Uttar Pradesh.

Making the announcement at a press conference here, Mulayam said the new Chief Minister will be chosen by the Samajwadi Party.

Flanked by brother Shivpal Yadav, who has been at loggerheads with the Chief Minister, Mulayam said he had taken the action against Akhilesh and Ramgopal to save the party which he had built through hard efforts. .

“We have to save the party. The party comes first. That is why we are expelling both Akhilesh and Ramgopal,” Mulayam said.

He explained that the decision was taken after Ramgopal, in his capacity as general secretary, called an emergency meeting of the party on January 1 and Akhilesh “supported” it.

Ramgopal called the meeting after a showcause notice was issued to him and Akhilesh by Mulayam for releasing a list of candidates, parallel to the one issued officially by Mulayam.

“How can he (Akhilesh) release the list when the party has declared its candidates? Both Akhilesh and Ramgopal want to finish the party. I will not let it happen. I have built this party through hard work,” Mulayam said.

“I had made Akhilesh the Chief Minister with much fanfare,” he added.

With regard to the emergency meeting called by Ramgopal on Sunday, Mulayam said only the party president has the power to convene such a meeting. “The party cannot run on Ramgopal’s whims,” Mulayam said.

He said Ramgopal has not only indulged in indiscipline but is causing a big harm to the party. “As of now we have expelled him, but we will take further action against him,” he party chief asserted.

Pouring scorn on Ramgopal, Mulayam said he has “ruined” the finishing career of Akhilesh who “does not understand”.

Mulayam should explain why he imposed Akhilesh on UP after 2012 polls: BJP

New Delhi: People of Uttar Pradesh have already “expelled” Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav should now answer as to why he “betrayed” the state by imposing his son after 2012 polls, BJP said soon after Akhilesh was expelled for six years from the party.

“Akhilesh Yadav has let down the people of Uttar Pradesh with the all-round failures of his government. He has not fulfilled any promise. People are feeling betrayed. Now Mulayam Singh Yadav has expelled him from the party. People have already expelled him due to his governance failures,” BJP National Secretary Shrikant Sharma said.

“Mualayam Singh Yadav should answer as to why he imposed his son on the state and betrayed it,” he said.

People had voted for SP in 2012 as they were angry with the Mayawati government over poor law and order and development but SP has also let them down, he said, blaming Yadav for “deteriorating law and order” as his portfolios includes the Home department.

Voters will not fall in this trap this time, Sharma said, claiming that they have made up their mind to vote for BJP.

“There is wave in our support,” he claimed.

BJP governments in various states have brought development and ensured double digit growth, he said.

PTI