Fresh strains in SP: Youth leaders resign after Shivpal Yadav expels MLCs for 'derogatory remarks'

Lucknow: In fresh signs of strain in Samajwadi Party, a number of youth leaders close to Akhilesh Yadav on Monday quit hours after state party chief Shivpal Yadav expelled seven youth leaders, including three MLCs, threatening the fragile truce in the faction-ridden ruling party. [caption id=“attachment_3011166” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Shivpal Yadav. PTI[/caption] Sunil Singh Sajan, Anand Bhadauria and Sanjay Lathar – all MLCs – were shown the door for making “derogatory remarks” against party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, indulging in anti-party activities and indiscipline by Shivpal, who also cracked the whip on other youth leaders of the pro-chief minister camp. Besides the MLCs, state chief of SP youth brigade Mohd Ebad, state president of SP yuvjan sabha Brijesh Yadav, national president of SP youth brigade Gaurav Dubey, and state chief of chatra sabha Digvijay Singh Dev were sacked from the party on similar grounds by Shivpal. Taking strong exception to the tough action, a number of youth office bearers of the party’s front wings spontaneously resigned, claiming that “Akhilesh” is their “undisputed” leader. “Akhilesh ji is our undisputed leader. We joined politics under his leadership. We did not indulge in indiscipline. We are even ready to give our life from him,” an angry Brijesh said. Digvijay aired similar sentiments, saying they believe in the policies of Netaji (Mulayam) and will continue to work for Samajwadi Party. “We only apprised Netaji of our views in favour of Akhilesh,” he said. High drama unfolded in the VVIP Guest House area where two youths of SP chatra sabha climbed atop a TV transmission tower to protest the mass sacking. Protests against the decision were reported from some districts as well. After taking the decision, Shivpal visited CM’s residence and both the leaders had closed door talks. A meeting of legislators and party district presidents has been called by Shivpal on Tuesday to discuss the party’s strategy for the Assembly elections due early next year. Meanwhile, Shivpal, while talking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme, gave a tough message to party cadres saying, “Strict action will be taken against all those who indulge in indiscipline.”