Yadav family feud: Shivpal made sacrificial goat by Mulayam to save Akhilesh's image, says Mayawati

Lucknow: Attacking the Mulayam clan, BSP supremo Mayawati on Sunday said Shivpal Yadav was made the Samajwadi Party’s state president by party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav to save the image of his son and chief minister Akhilesh Yadav in view of the party’s imminent defeat in the 2017 Assembly election. “Shivpal has been made SP state president by Mulayam to save son Akhliesh’s image after 2017 defeat, which is certain due to poor law and order in the state. This is a well-planned strategy of Mulayam to divert attention of the people from his ‘putra moh’ (love for son),” Mayawati said. “The entire family drama ended in such a way that it appeared it was scripted. The people faced its consequence with a communal riot in Bijnor, where four persons have died. The drama was enacted by Mulayam to show upper hand of son Akhilesh,” she said. [caption id=“attachment_2987348” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Mayawati. PTI[/caption] Alleging that the SP government has failed on all fronts, Mayawati said, “Now Shivpal has been made a sacrificial goat by brother Mulayam to establish Akhilesh’s supremacy in the party before Assembly polls.” This is evident from the fact that Akhilesh has been given the right to distribute party tickets, she said. Referring to the episode of Quami Ekta Dal’s merger with SP, she said, “Initially the party was merged and later it was cancelled and Ansari brothers were humiliated at the behest of Akhilesh.” On reinduction of Gayatri Prajapati in the cabinet, Mayawati said that a person who was mired in controversy due to corruption in mining department has been taken back in cabinet which shows there is something fishy and “the deal” should be exposed. The CM keeping PWD department with him and not giving it to Shivpal also shows that something is wrong, she added. Attacking BJP, Mayawati said the silence of the party is shocking at it has 73 MPs from the state. “How can the party be silent on all the anarchy and chaos prevailing in the state in SP regime. Is it an indication of SP-BJP tacit understanding. Besides SP, the Centre is also responsible for the present state of UP,” she said.