Samajwadi Party tussle: Mulayam Singh Yadav downplays rift, Shivpal Yadav expresses solidarity with SP

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav addressed the party workers on 16 September.

The SP chief interacted with party workers after meeting state party chief Shivpal Yadav and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

During Mulayam Singh Yadav's address, party workers raised slogans in favour of son Akhilesh Yadav.

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Mulayam Singh Yadav downplayed the rift in the party and that they are all united. "There is no rift between Shivpal and Akhilesh," he said.

"We sat together to resolve all issues."

"Samajwadi Party is a family, there will be no fight in the party till I am alive."

He added that no action would be taken against Gayatri Prasad Prajapati.

Uttar Pradesh Mining Minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati was sacked by Akhilesh Yadav earlier this month for allegedly promoting illegal mining in the state, PTI reported.

In response, Akhilesh Yadav said he will accept his father Mulayam Singh's decision.

Mulayam Singh Yadav said, "It is elections time, we should all come together and work. There is no fight between Ramgopal Yadav, Akhilesh & Shivpal."

"Every father and son duo faces issues. There is no rift. But there is fault of our people as well, who spoke to media," he added.

On his part, Akhilesh Yadav said that he would "not go against" his father's words.

Former UP minister Shivpal Yadav, who is at the center of the row, said on 16 September that he would work to strengthen the SP.

"Mulayam Singh's words are like an order for us... We really need to work to strengthen the Samajwadi Party... We are with Mulayam in every situation, we won't challenge his decision," he said.