Shivpal Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav’s uncle and president of the Progressive Socialist Party Lohia (PSPL), met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday evening, sparking speculation that he may leave the SP alliance soon, sources said. The meeting between Shivpal and CM Yogi Adityanath at the Chief Minister’s official residence in Lucknow lasted for about 20 minutes. Sources close to Shivpal Yadav said the PSPL chief may make some big announcements soon.
Earlier, Shivpal had avoided a post-election meeting of Samajwadi Party allies convened at the SP headquarters in Lucknow on Tuesday. Shivpal Bharthana (Etawah) said that he had nothing to say about this. “If I want to say something, I will call you (media),” Shivpal said.
Shivpal said on March 26 that despite being a Samajwadi Party MLA, he was not called for a review meeting of party MLAs in Lucknow. However, the SP later clarified that Shivpal had his own party and he was an ally and a meeting for the allies was scheduled later. Shivpal contested the SP symbol in the recent elections from the traditional Yashwantnagar constituency of Etawah district.
However, Shivpal did not say anything about his meeting with CM Yogi Adityanath, but there is speculation that he may either switch over to the BJP or ally his party with the NDA. There is talk that the BJP may send Shivpal Yadav to the Rajya Sabha and his son Aditya may contest his Yashwantnagar seat.
BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi told News18, “Anyone who wants to come for the betterment and development of Uttar Pradesh is welcome, but those who want to come for their own betterment and interests will not be welcomed in the BJP.”
Before the 2022 UP Assembly elections, Akhilesh and Shivpal joined hands after years of disagreement. On January 1, 2017, the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav snatched control of the SP from his father Mulayam Singh Yadav and uncle Shivpal.
Meanwhile, Shivpal announced on September 28, 2018 that his new political party is PSPL. Shivpal alleged that he felt neglected in the SP set up by his elder brother Mulayam after his nephew took charge. For so many years, Akhilesh had denied any alliance with his uncle. The pair did not come together in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
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