Parallel SP events on the cards in UP

Samajwadi Party (SP) patron Mulayam Singh Yadav will hold a meeting of the Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Trust here, ahead of the party's state and national conventions in the next fortnight.
The idea of floating the Front was mooted by Mulayam's brother Shivpal Yadav, who was sidelined by Akhliesh Yadav after he became the party's president in January.
"The agenda of Lohia Trust meeting is apolitical, but Netaji (Mulayam) might take some important decisions there. He can also give indications on formation of the Samajwadi Secular Front," a member of the Trust said.
Sources in the SP said the party is holding its state convention on September 23 and the national convention in Agra on October 5. It will decide its strategies in these meeting, they said.

No invitation has been sent to Mulayam or Shivpal yet, they said.
"Mulayam is my father. There are political issues. But he will remain my father," Akhilesh said when asked about Mulayam's presence in the conventions.
Those close to the SP president said that the meetings were aimed at strengthening the party before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
In the national convention, Akhilesh will be re-elected as party president and the tenure of the post could be increased from three to five years, they said.