On first day as SP UP chief, Shivpal Yadav expels Ram Gopal's relative from Samajwadi Party

After assuming charge as Samajwadi Party Uttar Pradesh unit president, Shivpal Yadav on Sunday expelled a close relative of senior party leader Ram Gopal Yadav and another leader for their alleged involvement in land grabbing, a move that could once again fuel a war in the family.

In his first decision after taking charge as SP UP president, Shivpal expelled party MLC Arvind Pratap Yadav, who is nephew of Ram Gopal Yadav and former village head in Etawah Akhilesh Kumar Yadav for their alleged involvement in land grabbing and other such activities.

According to sources, there were a lot of complaints related to land grabbing and others against these two.

"Arvind has been expelled for making derogatory and indecent comments against party supremo Mulayam and his involvement in anti-party activities," SP state secretary S R S Yadav said.

Earlier, before reaching the office, Shivpal met Mulayam Singh Yadav at the airport before he left for Delhi. The expulsion could fuel another war in the family as both of them were close to Ram Gopal.

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

The feud in Uttar Pradesh's first family had ended yesterday after Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav restored all but one portfolios of Shivpal Yadav and promised to support him as SP's state unit president, a post from which he was himself removed three days back triggering the power tussle with his uncle.

Addressing party workers, Shivpal said that as elections are near, everyone should gear up to strengthen the party to form majority government. He also warned workers against groupism saying "there is no place of groupism in the party and those indulging in it will be treated strictly".

"If you all want to shout slogans, it should be first in favour of party, then Netaji (Mulayam) and then Chief Minister," he told workers.

Also Read- Yadav saga ends: Akhilesh's wings clipped, Mulayam & Shivpal show who's boss

On Mayawati's comment against the party, Shvipal said, "She should first take care of her party before commenting on others. Her party is going to be finished in next elections.".

-PTI