Shivpal Yadav Becomes UP Party Chief, CM Akhilesh Strips Uncle of Key Portfolios

New Delhi: The differences in the ruling Yadav clan in Uttar Pradesh came out into the open on Tuesday evening as chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was replaced by his uncle Shivpal Yadav as Samajwadi Party state president.

"SP President Mulayam Singh Yadav has appointed you as the president of the Uttar Pradesh unit. It is hoped that with your hard work, you will further strengthen the party," SP National General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav said in a letter addressed to Shivpal Singh Yadav.

A copy of the letter was also marked to Akhilesh Yadav.

Hours after the issue was reported in an apparent show of strength, Akhilesh stripped Shivpal Yadav from his cabinet positions related to PwD, Revenue and Irrigation.

Shivpal however continues to handle the social welfare department even as the irrigation department was given to Awadhesh Prasad and revenue department was passed on to Balram Yadav.

The last few days have been hectic in Lucknow with the chief minister sacking two high profile ministers over corruption allegations. On Monday, he dismissed the state chief secretary Deepak Singhal considered close to Shivpal Yadav.

Akhilesh was seen as tightening his grip in the party with the recent sackings but the elevation of Shivpal to the state president’s role poses fresh questions on his control over the party as it prepares for the state assembly polls slated early next year. The SP had flagged off its poll campaign last week with the ‘Mulayam Sandesh Rath Yatra’.

As state president, Shivpal who is the younger brother of Mulayam will have more say in candidate selection.

Akhilesh has been trying to project his image as an uncompromising CM and had recently pre-empted the proposed merger of dreaded don Mukthar Ansari’s political party into SP.

Shivpal Yadav was reportedly behind the move to bring Ansari into the SP fold.

Disagreements between Akhilesh and Shivpal have been reported on several occasions in the past, including on the choice of official to be appointed as the state's chief secretary after Alok Ranjan's term ended, and the postponement of Qaumi Ekta Dal's merger with SP.

(With inputs from PTI)