Rajnath uses 'Yadav family rift' to target UP Govt

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Taking a dig at the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that people of the state are paying the price because of the rift in the Yadav family.

Speaking at the 'Shraddhanjali Sabha' of former member of parliament Late Harikewal Prasad Kushwaha, Singh also alleged that the amount of money allotted to the Uttar Pradesh government during this year by the Centre for drought, floods and farmers has never been given to the state.

"Whenever we read newspaper early morning, instead of reading that the (SP) government provided employment or something good to farmers, we get to read the reports of rift in the family of ruling party," he said.

"The amount of money that the Uttar Pradesh government got during this year from the Modi government for drought, flood and for farmers has never been given to this state government in its history. You can even compare it with the previous figures and I know that it is not wrong," he added.

Earlier, senior Uttar Pradesh minister Shivpal Singh Yadav said if given a responsibility, he would work to the fullest to fulfill it and asserted that the Samajwadi Party is not in any kind of trouble.

"Whoever is given responsibility, whatever it be...we have to follow that. The party is not in trouble. If I am given a responsibility, I will work to the fullest for it. Nobody can challenge Netaji's decisions. In 2011, when I was the state president, back then I was removed and Akhilesh was given responsibility and I accepted that. Netaji took that decision carefully and after consideration surely," Shivpal told the media.

Shivpal said it is the right of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to decide on the allocation of departments.

"I always talk with Netaji. Whenever I want, I talk with him. Whenever I sought an appointment with Chief Minister Akhilesh, I got it. I didn't know that I would be made state president so soon. The decision of department's allocation is of the Chief Minister. It is his right. In what circumstances did he take this decision, we can't raise a question mark over that. We all have to remain united, it is election time and we have to form Government again in 2017. No one has the capacity in our party to disregard what Netaji says," he added.

On being asked if he is fine with Akhilesh being Samajwadi Party's Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's face for 2017 elections, Shivpal said, "I accept whatever decision Netaji takes."

Akhilesh yesterday said his decision to take away three ministries from uncle Shivpal was not a family fight, but a political dispute.

Akhilesh also said that if people from outside the family keep interfering, how the things will work.

However, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh refused to accept that it might be him that the Chief Minister hinted at.