SP rift: 'district presidents' of Mathura unit claim post

Confusion in Samajwadi Party in Mathura continues as "district presidents" of the two warring groups claim themselves to be the legally-appointed heads of the party's local unit.
"Since state president of Samajwadi Party Naresh Uttam has revived the position of district presidents appointed by the then state president Akhilesh Yadav, I automatically become head of the district unit of the party," Tulsiram Sharma, erstwhile president of SP claimed.
Sharma was appointed district president by Akhilesh Yadav (who, then, was holding office of Chief Minister as well as state president of the party) on May 2, 2014.
However, Thakur Ajit Singh, who was appointed district president of the party by Shivpal Singh Yadav on December 23, 2016, rejects Sharma's claim.

"Since the efforts to patch up differences are still on in Lucknow and contest Vidhan Sabha election as a united party, I still hold the office of district president," Singh said.
SP workers have started strengthening the party by apprising the people of the development work done in the state during Akhilesh Yadav's tenure, he added.
"Thakur lobby has taken a pledge to work for SP since a member of the community has been given coveted post," Singh claimed.