LUCKNOW: Just two days after Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav disapproved the alliance with Congress and refused to campaign for it, former party state chief Shivpal Yadav served a shocker on Tuesday by announcing he would launch a new party after March 11— the day election results would be announced.
Shivpal made the announcement while addressing a public rally in Etawah immediately after filing his nomination papers for his traditional Jaswantnagar constituency on Tuesday morning. Jaswantnagar will go to polls in the third phase on February 19.
Shivpal also asserted that he would campaign for all those candidates who have been denied tickets by the party.
Meanwhile, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav—Shivpal’s nephew—hit back immediately saying saboteurs have no place in the party.
“Jo party ko dhokha de rahe the...jo bhitarghat kar rahe thhe, woh saath nahi rah sakte Those who were ditching the party san’t stay along),” he commented while addressing a public rally in Hathras as part of his campaign trail.
Akhilesh pointed out that had he not retained the party symbol, there would have been no dearth of those intending to damage the party.
Shivpal, who has often been at loggerheads with Akhilesh, highlighted he has worked very hard during his tenure as a minister. “I told the CM, I will form my party after March 11,” he said.
Raising questions on the SP-Congress alliance, Shivpal said it would only help turn Congress's fortunes in the state. A party which did not stand to win even five seats has been given 105 on its platter," he argued saying the pact had lowered the morale of party workers.
Reminding his supporters of the party’s silver jubilee function on November 5, Shivpal said he was ready to concede everything wanted by Akhilesh except having to tolerate Mulayam Singh Yadav’s humiliation.
“Maine kaha thha main marte dam tak Netaji ke saath rahunga (I had said that i will always be with Netaji),” he maintained. “Till 15 days back, I was not in a mood to file papers. But my supporters wanted me to fight the elections and I respect their wish,” Shivpal said.