Hurt by Akhilesh's 'dalal' comment: Amar Singh

Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh on Thursday broke his silence on the rift within the Samajwadi Party, saying he was hurt by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav calling him a 'dalal' (broker).

"I am hurt by his words. There is no photograph of his wedding where this 'dalal' (Amar Singh) is not present," Amar Singh remarked, which were aired on several news channels.

On Sunday, Akhilesh held a meeting with party legislators after sacking his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav and three other ministers from the Cabinet. Soon after the meeting ended, the legislators trooped out while denouncing Amar Singh as a 'dalal'. He was held responsible for infighting within the party.

Singh said he will not attend Akhilesh's Rath Yatra from November 3, saying he was not invited.

The Samajwadi Party leader, considered close to Mulayam Singh Yadav, said he was the only one who supported Akhilesh when his family was opposed to his marriage. He also clarified he never abused expelled SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav.

Singh said it was not the first time he was blamed for party differences since he was blamed even when Akhilesh replaced Shivpal as the SP Uttar Pradesh unit President.

--IANS

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