SP shows unity as Mulayam flags off Akhilesh's Rath Yatra

Putting up a united face amid the ongoing acrimonious power struggle in the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh, SP president and patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav on Thursday flagged the much-hyped ‘Vikas Rath Yatra’ of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Flanked by younger brother Shivpal Singh Yadav, who is locked in a bitter feud with Akhilesh over greater control in the party and government, Mulayam wished the Yatra success in fetching majority to SP in the 2017 UP polls and retaining power. In his address, Mulayam also had a piece of advice to young party cadres, who predominantly support Akhilesh in the widening fissure in SP, to desist from mere slogan- shouting and instead read the socialist movement literature to understand the struggles behind the Samajwadi movement.

Mulayam said SP was the result of sacrifices, struggles and hard work and not slogan shouting. The former defence minister revealed he had advised Akhilesh to name the Yatra as ‘Vijay Vikas Rath Yatra’ rather than ‘Vikas Rath Yatra’, but said his suggestion was not conceded to.

Addressing the huge turnout of SP workers at the La Martiniere College Ground here, Akhilesh claimed his government had fulfilled all the promises made in the party manifesto and ushered in balanced development in both rural and urban areas.

He said his government had worked for the betterment of all sections of society without discrimination and that people should judge his performance on the basis of that. “This election (UP polls) are not only about UP, but for giving direction to national polity,” Akhilesh said.

making oblique reference to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government even as he raked up the issue of the suicide by an ex-army personnel allegedly over the One-Rank-One-Pension scheme.

Like an astute politician and without taking names, Akhilesh alleged conspiracies by vested interests over the past weeks, which had delayed the party’s poll campaign. He, however, exuded confidence that he would return to power with absolute majority like in the 2012 polls.

This is the fourth Rath Yatra of the party in its 25 years of existence, of which Akhilesh had led three, while one was led by Mulayam.

Putting to rest speculation whether Akhilesh would participate in the silver jubilee foundation day function slated for November 5 here, the CM confirmed he would be a part of the planned grand celebration and urged the youth cadres to make both the programmes successful.

Earlier, Shivpal also wished Akhilesh success in his Rath Yatra saying he hoped it would help the party’s aim of stopping the BJP from coming to power in the state.

The Yatra is a mass contact programme to propagate Akhilesh’s development projects and schemes. It has been organised at a time when SP is also trying to form an alliance with ‘like-minded’ parties such as the Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Lok Dal and Congress to keep BJP at bay. The Yatra is being managed by Akhilesh’s close aide and member of legislative council Sunil Yadav Sajan from the newly inaugurated Janeshwar Mishra Trust, which is the ‘war room’ of the CM for the forthcoming Assembly polls.

Ever since he was replaced by Shivpal as the party’s UP unit president, Akhilesh has been shying away from visiting the official SP headquarters in Lucknow and instead, functions from the Trust premises.

Over the past two months, the embattled SP has witnessed acrimonious public scenes during party meetings in Lucknow, sackings, counter sackings by Shivpal and Akhilesh over greater control in the party and government.

On Wednesday, the Vikas Rath was unveiled before the media at Akhilesh’s official residence. The flag-off by Mulayam would be a subtle message to party cadres and people that the party stood united even during a time of crisis.

A luxury bus has been customised as ‘Rath’ equipped with a hydraulic platform to enable the CM address public meetings. The hi-tech bus comprises a mini-office, kitchen and a lavatory for the comfort of the occupant. A life-size image of Akhilesh riding a bicycle adorns its exterior along with the images of prominent socialist leaders, including Mulayam.