Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) chief Shivpal Singh Yadav joined palms along with his nephew and Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav forward of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections earlier this yr. Shivpal was elected from Jaswantnagar on the SP image. But quickly after the polls, the outdated rift between him and Akhilesh resurfaced and he accused the SP of shutting him out of alliance and legislature get together conferences. In an interview, the veteran chief talks to The Indian Express concerning the discord with Akhilesh, Azam Khan, and his plans for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
You broken the SP’s prospects in Firozabad within the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. How are you making ready for 2024?
At current, I’m strengthening the group of the PSP (Lohia). I contested the Assembly election on the SP image. I anticipated extra seats and was ready to subject candidates in at the very least 100 constituencies. I additionally introduced a Vidhan Sabha in-charge. But once I traveled throughout the state, I acquired strategies from everybody that I ought to contest collectively (with the SP). There have been individuals suggesting that Akhilesh Yadav and I ought to come collectively. I agreed to get collectively. Neta ji (SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav) too wished that. Then, I accepted Akhilesh as my chief and the CM face. I used to be anticipating that my get together will get seats. I devoted myself solely however I used to be restricted to a single seat, the image of my get together was frozen. Then, I made up my thoughts to contest beneath the favored image of the SP. I accepted SP membership too. I contested acquired a great variety of votes and was elected MLA. I used to be one in all 111 MLAs of the SP. But when the assembly of the SP legislature get together was referred to as on March 26, I used to be not knowledgeable. I contacted Akhilesh and acquired an appointment to satisfy him on May 25. I instructed him that I used to be not knowledgeable concerning the assembly. He instructed me that I didn’t have to attend the assembly of the SP legislature group. I argued that I used to be amongst 111 MLAs of the SP. He requested me to attend the assembly of allies. I argued that I used to be not amongst allies and I used to be earlier by no means referred to as to a gathering of allies. Still, he didn’t name me to SP legislature get together conferences. I additionally didn’t attend the allies’ assembly. Now, I’m specializing in my group. I’ve declared office-bearers, I’ll increase it extra within the days to return.
What are your plans for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls?
I’ll resolve at an acceptable time, in keeping with the circumstances. I’ll converse to my get together leaders and staff.
Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav alongside along with his brother Shivpal Singh Yadav in 2018. (Photo: Express Archive)
You are saying that you weren’t a part of the SP alliance. But SP shared a photograph of you with the leaders of different allies such because the SBSP and Apna Dal (Ok).
I used to be not referred to as to that assembly. By coincidence, I had gone to satisfy Akhilesh and I used to be given area in that assembly with out an invite … I joined the get together on the get together workplace (SP). But you would have by no means seen me anyplace. I used to be by no means referred to as to press conferences.
So, you have been by no means a part of the SP-led alliance?
No, by no means. I used to be by no means invited to conferences of allies and press conferences.
So, how will you describe the connection between you and Akhilesh and the PSP and the SP in the course of the Assembly elections?
I labored within the SP and held the posts of state president, common secretary, and Leader of the Opposition. I labored with Neta ji for over 45 years. I’m nonetheless a Samajwadi.
You lookup Neta ji as your guardian. But you questioned him too on the difficulty of Azam Khan. Is there some distinction growing between the 2 of you?
I nonetheless admire him as my guardian. My get together’s flag has his {photograph}. I’ve at all times revered Neta ji and can hold holding him in excessive regard.
Differences between you and Akhilesh began in 2016. Did Netaji ever intervene to make sure a patch-up between you and Akhilesh?
He organized conferences a number of occasions. Neta ji is true to his phrases. I’m too. But the son (Akhilesh) lacks this high quality. A promise means quite a bit, it’s supreme for a person, and important in politics.
What was the promise that Akhilesh didn’t fulfill?
No promise was fulfilled. Because of that, he’s far-off from energy. We have realized from Lord Ram about being true to our phrases…
In the approaching Rajya Sabha polls, will you observe the SP’s whip or vote as per your want?
I’ll converse to my staff and decide within the curiosity of the organisation.
You met BJP leaders. Then you met Azam Khan in jail. Are you going to form up a brand new entrance?
At current, I’m strengthening my organisation, I’ll resolve at an acceptable time… I’ve met Azam bhai twice. He is the senior-most member of the UP Assembly. He is a 10-term MLA and was additionally elected to the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. He is a socialist and labored with Neta ji. So I stated that when he was a member of the Lok Sabha, his situation ought to have been raised in Parliament beneath the management of Neta ji. When he was elected MLA for the tenth time period, his situation ought to have been raised within the Assembly. That has not been completed to this point. So, I stated that if Azam’s matter had been raised within the Lok Sabha, the prime minister would have actually taken notice of that.
Do you’ve plans to kind a entrance with Azam?
Let him come out of jail first. Then, discussions will happen.
What message has gone down amongst staff on the Azam Khan situation?
Almost 88 circumstances have been lodged in opposition to him. Whenever he will get bail in a single case, one other case is lodged.
A grand alliance was fashioned within the SP’s management within the current Assembly polls. You too joined palms. What components led to the defeat?
The public wished a change however errors have been made in ticket distribution, choice of candidates, and taking strategies. Opinions of senior leaders, together with me, weren’t sought. I used to be restricted to 1 seat. All these have been errors.
Nationalism has change into a difficulty in politics as of late. How do you view it?
I don’t imagine in Hindu nationalism, Muslim nationalism or every other non secular nationalism. I imagine in Indian nationalism. There shouldn’t be hatred in opposition to any specific religion.
,
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
