Akhilesh's supporters demand his reinstatement as state chief

Hundreds of supporters of UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav reached the party office demanding his reinstatement.
Akhilesh Yadav's supporters demand that he be made UP chief of Samajwadi Party again. (ANI)
Akhilesh Yadav's supporters demand that he be made UP chief of Samajwadi Party again. (ANI)

LUCKNOW: Hundreds of supporters of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today reached the party office demanding his reinstatement as the state president.

Donning red caps and carrying posters of the Chief Minister and his wife Dimple Yadav, the supporters started for the party office this morning, raising slogans like "Akhilesh ko adyaksh banao" (make Akhilesh the state president), saying only "Akhilesh bhaiya could lead the party".

Akhilesh had yesterday announced that his disgruntled uncle Shivpal will be given back his portfolios and Gayatri Prajapati will be reinducted as Cabinet minister, issues which had triggered an all-out war in the party.

The head of four frontal organisation of Samajwadi Party- Chhatra Sabha, Lohia Vahini, Yuvjan Sabha and MSY Youth Brigade, according to sources, have also written to party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav demanding that Akhilesh be reinstated as the state unit chief.

"We have conveyed our feelings to Netaji (Mulayam) that we (all youth frontal organisations) will not be able to work with anyone except Akhilesh. We want him back as state president. Youth is feeling dejected after his removal, they are depressed and even ready to immolate themselves in his favour," Mohd Aibad, President Mulayam Singh Yadav Youth Brigade, said.

MLCs Rajpal Kashyap and Anand Bhadauria, who had in past held posts in SP's front organisations, also raised slogans in his favour.

"Nejati on many occasions has said the youth should lead. We want him to bring back Akhilesh who is undisputed leader of youth and poor and has done a lot for the development of state," Kashyap said.

The supporters of Shivpal are also reaching the party headquarters here. Akhilesh had yesterday expressed his desire to have a say in ticket distribution for 2017 polls and had termed the elections as his "pariksha" (test).

Later, the supporters of Akhilesh reached Mulayam Singh's 5 Vikramaditya Marg residence and continued their protest, demanding his reinstatement.

Some of them even had heated arguments with the security personnel and later Akhilesh sent a message and invited them to his official 5 Kalidas Marg residence.

Mulayam had apparently called Akhilesh and expressed his displeasure over the protest.

While passing by Shivpal Yadav's residence at 7 Kalidas Marg, some of Akhilesh's supporters got into argument with his supporters and both the groups were involved in slogan shouting.

The police, however, immediately controlled the situation.

The Chief Minister later invited the youth supporters inside his residence and addressed them keeping media persons at bay.

He asked the supporters to end the protest and "honour the decision of Netaji".

"This is Netaji's decision, which should be honoured. Now you all end the agitation and work to strengthen the party ahead of 2017 polls," he said, asking workers to reach party office.

Akhilesh is likely to meet media later in the day after meeting Shivpal at his residence, while SP supremo Mulayam will be reaching party office to address the workers.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com