Samajwadi Party deadlock continues as fresh reconciliation efforts fail

For the record, Chowdhury, while emerging from Mulayam’s residence, said, “All will be well. SP will remain one.” SP treasurer and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Seth also met Akhilesh as his residence. The parleys had gained momentum on Friday with the Election Commission setting January 9 deadline for the two sides to stake claim to the ‘cycle’ symbol.

Malayam’s cousin Ramgopal Yadav claimed the Akhilesh camp has collected signatures of 212 of the 229 MLAs, 56 of the 68 MLCs, 15 of the 24 MPs and a majority of the 5,000 delegates, “making it crystal clear as to which was the real SP”.

In Etawah, Mulayam’s brother Abhayram Yadav hailed Shivpal and blamed “stubborn Akhilesh” for the ongoing crisis within the family and party. “Akhilesh is stubborn. Shivpal used to take him to school and take care of him,” he said when reporters asked him about the issue.