SP rift still evident at large, says Congress

The Congress Party on Sunday said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his bete noire Shivpal Yadav still hold grudges against each other, adding this was quite evident during the Samajwadi Party's silver jubilee celebrations in Lucknow.

Congress leader Meem Afzal told ANI though the rift in the Samajwadi Party is its internal matter but unity is still missing in the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh.

"The members of the Samajwadi Party might have tried their best to portray harmony but in reality the relationship has gone sour and they still hold grudges against each other," he said.

"It was clearly visible on stage yesterday. Though it is the internal matter of the Samajwadi Party but when things like these happen, we can say that unity is still missing in the party," he added.

In what may give the opposition parties fresh ammunition to target the Samajwadi Party in the run up to next year's assembly polls, the infighting within the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led party was quite evident at yesterday's silver jubilee celebrations.

The Chief Minister and his uncle stood on the stage together holding swords in their hands. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, who was also present on the occasion, attempted to create amity between them as he asked Akhilesh to touch his uncle's feet.

The Chief Minister while addressing the gathering took a dig at his uncle.

"You have given me the sword, obviously we will use it," Akhilesh said.

This came after Shivpal's veiled attack on Akhilesh.

"I had recently said that while some are lucky to have things happen for them in life and some get everything in inheritance, there are some who get nothing despite toiling hard," Shivpal said earlier.

"Ask for blood, I shall give blood. Don't make me the Chief Minister. I know I have done good work," he added in a scathing attack on Akhilesh.