Appointing Shivpal as SP state president was a well-planned strategy: Mayawati

Soon after the controversial family feud in Samajwadi Party ended, BSP chief Mayawati on 18 September sought to drive a wedge in Uttar Pradesh's 'first family' saying Shivpal Yadav was made SP state chief by Mulayam Singh Yadav to save son Akhilesh's image in view of the party's "imminent defeat" in 2017.

"Shivpal has been made SP state president by (SP supremo) Mulayam to save son Akhilesh's image after the 2017 defeat, which is certain due to poor law and order situation in the state. This is a well-planned strategy of Mulayam to divert the attention of people from his 'putra moh' (love for son)," Mayawati said.

"Now Shivpal has been made a sacrificial goat by brother Mulayam to establish Akhilesh's supremacy in the party before the Assembly polls," she said, adding this is evident from the fact that Akhilesh has been given the right to distribute party tickets.

"The entire family drama ended in such a way that it appeared it was scripted. The drama was enacted by Mulayam to show the upper hand of Akhilesh. Meanwhile, a communal clash erupted in Bijnore but no one paid attention to it," she said.

She alleged that the SP government has failed on all fronts and since "its defeat is imminent in the Assembly elections" due early next year.

On the reinduction of Gayatri Prajapati in the cabinet, Mayawati said a person who was mired in controversy due to corruption in the mining department was taken back in the cabinet; this shows there is something fishy and "the deal" should be exposed.

--PTI