Highlights:
- Shivpal Yadav believes that if the PSP(L) leaders are given the tickets, they would be able to win all of their seats.
- Elections to the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly are set to take place early next year.
- Shivpal Yadav, dissatisfied with his fading status in the SP, allegedly broke away and launched the PSP(L) in 2018.
Shivpal Yadav, the founder of the Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia), is said to have demanded 100 seats as part of the Samajwadi Party’s alliance deal for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections 2022.
Shivpal and his estranged nephew Akhilesh Yadav, who is also the Samajwadi Party chief, were spotted together on Monday to celebrate SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav’s 82nd birthday, sparking speculation of a possible reunion.
On the occasion, the PSP(L) chief stated that if the SP fails to reach an agreement on the alliance deal within a week, his party will host a conference in Lucknow to discuss the next steps.
Akhilesh and Shivpal Yadav had a major falling out in 2017 after the latter was ‘upset’ over his fading grip in the SP fold. Following that, he formed his own party, the PSPL, in 2018, further strained ties with Akhilesh, who took over as SP chief in 2017.
“In 2022, we have to come to power. The entire state wants both parties (PSPL and SP) to contest the elections together. The people of the state had hopes from this day (Mulayam Singh’s birthday) but the result was ‘shunya’ (zero). Now again fake news will be run,” Shivpal Yadav stated, according news agency PTI.
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He, however, speculate that if the PSP(L) leaders are handed the tickets, they will be able to win all of their seats.
“Give me 100 seats and we will contest (elections) together. If the SP does not make a decision quickly, the PSPL will hold a large conference in Lucknow in a week to gather suggestions (from partymen), and a decision would be made by the party’s parliamentary board,” the PSP(L) chief added.
Akhilesh hinted at a possible alliance with his uncle in early November, stating he would treat Mulayam Singh Yadav’s brother with the utmost respect.
“We want unity as it has power. Our priority is to form an alliance with the SP. There is little time (left for the elections). Whatever decision has to be taken should be taken soon. I am saying for the past two years that elections should be contested unitedly. I have accepted all conditions. He (Akhilesh) should become the chief minister,” Shivpal Yadav stated. Elections to the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly are scheduled to happen in early 2022.
