The Samajwadi Party, which a day ago sacked two ministers for “suspicious activities” after their kin either joined or hobnobbed with the BJP, may have to brave another rebellious storm, this one brewing in Farrukhabad. If his recent activities are anything to go by, Minister of state for homeguards, vocational studies and Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD) Narendra Singh Yadav’s son Sachin Singh Yadav may soon snap ties with Samajwadi Party (SP) after being denied candidature from Farrukhabad parliamentary set. The seat is currently represented by union minister for external affairs, Salman Khurshid. Sources in Farrukhabad claimed that Sachin aims to contest the Lok Sabha polls and it is just a matter of time that he may join another party to seek the ticket or contest as an independent. Despite being denied ticket, Sachin has stepped up his campaigning in Farrukhabad. His latest programme was on March 8 when he had invited actor Zeenat Aman for Women’s Day celebrations. Earlier, he had organised a marathon rally with TV actress Prachi Desai as chief guest. He also organised 15 health camps in all seven blocks of Farrukhabad for poor people. “Everything is being done with some purpose. Lok Sabha election is our target,” a supporter of Sachin stated. “I cannot commit anything on the Lok Sabha elections right now. You need to wait for another week and things will be clear. It all depends on my supporters and I will go by their decision,” Sachin said. He was earlier given SP ticket but later replaced by Rameshwar Yadav, the MLA from Aliganj in Etah district. Sachin, however, made it clear that he nurses ambitions of contesting Lok Sabha elections. “I began preparing soon after 2012 assembly polls. I am still meeting people and will announce my decision soon,” he added. He also admitted that his decision to contest against SP may have adverse effect on the ministerial position of his father. “It will be surely a loss for my father.but I have asked my people for the correct decision,” he added. The rift between Sachin camp and local SP unit is clearly visible. Sachin and his father hardly ever attend Rameshwar Yadav’s programme. In fact, Sachin is on a spree organising his own programmes. To counter the SP events, he recently organised Rajendra Utsav in memory of his grandfather Rajendra Yadav, who was also a legislator. SP leadership too has sensed the possible rebellion and, hence, has changed local party office bearers including district unit SP president Rajkumar Singh Rathore. A loyalist of Narendra Singh, Rathore has been replaced by Chandrapal Singh Yadav. “All the developments happening in Farrukhabad is known to CM Akhilesh Yadav. I am not doing anything discreetly,” Sachin said.
