After weeks long tug of war with his father, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has succeeded in retaining Samajwadi Party's original symbol 'cycle'. Now, he is literally the true owner and national president of the party.
Putting speculations at rest, the Election Commission on Monday gave its verdict in favour of Akhilesh giving a big jolt to party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, barely a month ahead of the Assembly elections.
Both Mulayam and Akhilesh camps had staked their claims over party symbol and had approached the poll panel in this regard after the national convention of the party, held in Lucknow on January 1, had dethroned the former from the post of national president.
SP leader Ramgopal Yadav, who is Mulayam’s brother and a supporter of Akhilesh in the big family feud, reacted to the SC verdict saying, “We are happy with the verdict and respect it.”
Soon after the latest development, Akhilesh went to meet his father at his residence, where Shvipal Yadav, Mulayam’s another brother was also present. Shvipal and senior party leader Amar Singh had been opposing Akhilesh in this slug-fest.
Election Commission had earlier heard pleas of both the parties on January 13 for full five hours and kept its verdict reserved for Monday.
Though a boisterous Mulayam was confident of retaining the 'cycle' symbol, the founder leader of the party will now have to look for other options, which include moving the Supreme Court against the EC verdict.
Meanwhile, celebrations erupted at Akhilesh camp. The chief minister is expected to come out with the names of candidates in a day or two for the seven-phase elections to be held from February 11 to March 8.
