In yet another outburst at his partymen, Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav on Tuesday warned his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav against falling into the trap of “sycophancy.”
“In your government, sycophants are ruling the roost ... You should not fall into the trap of sycophants. You have become habitual of hearing ‘Sir.’ This is not good,” Mr. Yadav said and gave a 10-day ultimatum to Ministers and bureaucrats to “get their act together.”
“Ministers and officers, you all should mend your ways within 10 days ... The party is bigger than the government ... This government is weakening the party,” Mr. Yadav said.
Even senior Minister Mohammad Azam Khan, considered close to Mr. Yadav, was not spared. “Mr. Azam Khan, you too become active now,” the SP supremo said.
Mr. Yadav was speaking at a function held at the Chief Minister’s residence here to mark the commissioning of the 330-MW Srinagar hydro-electric project.
Aware of the fact that the SP’s performance in the Lok Sabha election is hugely dependent on the performance of his son’s government, Mr. Yadav blamed the previous Bahujan Samaj Party government for Uttar Pradesh’s downfall.
“Listen Chief Minister, why don’t you tell the people that the previous regime is responsible for U.P.’s destruction and the present government is working towards the State’s development?” Mr. Yadav asked.
The SP chief also expressed anguish at the slow movement of files and delay in official decisions. He cited an instance when he as Chief Minister had to intervene after a bureaucrat delayed the passage of a file.
Mr. Yadav said that the government should ensure good roads, power supply and water to the people. “It is not a difficult task,” he added.
