"Uncle" Ramgopal had to return in Samajwadi Party: Aparna Yadav

Aparna Yadav, the daughter-in-law of Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, on Thursday attempted to downplay the controversy over Ramgopal Yadav being reinstated into the party weeks after being expelled and said that he being a family member had to return at any cost.

"He is our uncle and he had to return into the party," she told the media here.

Ramgopal, who was expelled from the Samajwadi Party for six years last month after he openly sided with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, was earlier in the day reinstated in the party.

A statement issued by Mulayam said that Ramgopal will continue to perform his duty as the Samajwadi Party's general secretary and spokesperson. Ramgopal will also be part of the Samajwadi Party's Central Parliamentary board.

Meanwhile, Aparna, who is the wife of Mulayam's younger son Prateek Yadav, also stated that the meeting held today focused on highlighting the initiatives taken for development of Uttar Pradesh during the Samajwadi Party's rule in the state.

"It was decided in today's meeting as to how the female workers of the party would highlight before the common public the developments works initiated during the tenure of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav," she said.

Aparna also stated that it has been decided to include women in the party in the wake of next year's assembly polls.

"It has been decided to do an analysis on the works done in the booth committees and also ensure the entry of women at booth-level so that they can actively participate in the elections," she said.