Desperate to pursue his Mission 2014 to fulfil his prime ministership dream, Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav is working hard to consolidate the party among different castes.
Having accommodated the Brahmins and Thakurs in last week’s Cabinet expansion, Mulayam would now convene a conference of the Most Backward Classes (MBCs) at the party’s state headquarters here on February 16 to woo them into the party fold.
His son and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav would also address the conference, where some of the demands put forth by the MBCs are expected to be fulfilled. Not to say, the party is giving huge publicity to the conference. So far, the MBCs were identified with the BSP as its founder president Kanshi Ram had worked tirelessly for them during his lifetime. With the BSP in the Opposition now, the SP chief is trying to appease them.
Meanwhile, National Association of Nishad (fishermen) strongly criticised the SP Government. Its national president Lotan Ram Nishad said the SP was only furthering the interests of Yadavs. In the UP Cabinet, there are seven Yadavs and has no MBC representation.
“As the elections are drawing closer, the SP wants the MBC votes. So, it is shedding crocodile tears, which is unacceptable,” said Lotan Ram.
It seems Mulayam is slowly taking indirect control of the Akhilesh Government as well. The recent Cabinet reshuffle and largescale transfers and postings of IAS officers confirm this.