Despite ongoing talks and meetings on Friday between the two factions of the Samajwadi Party over the leadership and symbol issues, there were no signs of a compromise from either side.
On the offensive, the Akhilesh camp dismissed any chances of a resolution through talks.
Speculations of a possible truce gained ground when Shivpal Yadav called on his nephew and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav at his official residence. But there was no confirmation if the two leaders actually met, as Mr. Shivpal Yadav is said to have left a few minutes later.
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The two then joined party supremo Mulayam Singh for a meeting at his Vikramaditya Marg residence. The Akhilesh camp, showcasing its greater bargaining power, is said to have pressed for the “expulsion” of Amar Singh, who they hold responsible for the family feud, and the sacking of Mr. Shivpal Yadav as State party president.
The Akhilesh camp had already ousted the two leaders at a convention here last Sunday but Mr. Mulayam Singh later termed the decisions “illegal” and the meeting “unconstitutional.”
Amid the impasse, Mr. Mulayam Singh announced that he would address a press conference at 4 p.m. However, it was cancelled within 10 minutes without any reason being given. It coincided with senior Minister Azam Khan, who is attempting to broker a peace, visiting Mr. Mulayam Singh’s house.
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‘Not an obstacle’
Meanwhile, Mr. Amar Singh, who flew to Lucknow from Delhi on same chartered flight as Mr. Mulayam Singh and Mr. Shivpal Yadav, termed as ‘baseless’ allegations that he was behind the crisis.” He stressed he had goodwill towards Mr. Akhilesh Yadav and favoured a patch up.
“I want to clarify that I am not against his progress. I want to congratulate him and continue giving my blessings. I did not come to U.P. and Lucknow to spread discord but want an agreement,” Mr. Singh told a news agency.
His statement came amid speculations that he had agreed to resign from the party. There was however, no official announcement.
Meanwhile, Abhayram Yadav and Rajpal Yadav, the apolitical brothers of Mulayam reached Lucknow from Saifai, their ancestral village, and met Mr. Mulayam Singh.
Ramgopal claims numbers
Ramgopal Yadav, who orchestrated Mr. Akhilesh Yadav’s show of strength and coup on January 1, said in Delhi that the latter had the signed support of 212 out of the party’s 229 MLAs, 56 out of 68 MLCs, 15 out of 24 MPs. It was, however, not clear if he had submitted any documents to the Election Commission as required by the later. Mr. Ramgopal Yadav said the affidavits of 5,000 party delegates would be submitted on Saturday.
“Ninety per cent of party delegates and representatives are with Akhilesh Yadav. It is crystal clear, prima facie this [Akhilesh’s faction] is the real SP, and that party be allotted the symbol cycle,” he added.
Kironmoy Nanda, SP vice-president, later claimed “We have already submitted the documents to the EC.”
Strongly backing Mr. Akhilesh Yadav, Mr. Nanda said there was “no question of a compromise” as there “is no conflict” in the party. “Akhileshji is the president of the SP and Netaji the patron...some people want to create confusion. There is no compromise,” he told The Hindu .
Accounts frozen
In another move, aided by legal eagles, the Akhilesh camp has told banks to freeze the Samajwadi Party accounts.
As a result, accounts with more than Rs. 500 crore belonging to the party, which till now was operational with the signature of Shivpal Yadav, have been put on hold.
(With inputs from IANS)