UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav strips Shivpal Yadav of three key ministries

This development is being seen as a retaliation by Akhilesh for being replaced by his uncle Shivpal for the party’s top post.

After being replaced by Shivpal Yadav as Uttar Pradesh chief of Samajwadi Party, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday stripped him of Revenue, irrigation and PWD portfolios. Shivpal was, instead, made minister of social welfare, while irrigation went to Awadhesh Prasad and revenue to Balram Yadav. PWD Ministry was retained by Akhilesh.

This development is being seen as a retaliation by Akhilesh for being replaced by his uncle Shivpal for the party’s top post. Shivpal’s appointment came amid reports of the widening rift within the family with the UP chief minister sacking two ministers over corruption charges and the removal of chief secretary, all considered close to Shivpal Yadav. The rift became apparent when Akhilesh opposed the merger of Mukhtar Ansari’s Quami Ekta Dal with the SP — a move initiated by Shivpal.

However, Akhilesh’s father and Shivpal’s brother Mulayam Singh Yadav came out in support of the latter, saying that the party would split into several factions and many workers will go with Shivpal if he were to leave the party.