Samajwadi Party

Shivpal, who is the national president of the Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party Lohia (PSPL), has said that Akhilesh Yadav was surrounded by sycophants.While talking to reporters at a private programme, he said, "He is surrounded by sycophants who believe in mere flattering."

Less than a month after the demise of Samajwadi patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav faces a major challenge in the form of by-elections in Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat that was held by his late father. The Mainpuri seat is extremely crucial for the Samajwadi Party as well as the family since it has been one of the strongest Samajwadi bastions since 1989.

Reacting to the disqualification of Azam Khan from the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, following his conviction in a hate speech case, Akhilesh added that the recent development was an example of revenge politics. Akhilesh said Azam's role in setting up a top-class institute for higher education -- Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar University -- for youth of Rampur and adjoining region also worried the BJP, which is only interested in disrupting the education system in the state.

The Speaker announced the decision after receiving the orders of the court which had convicted Azam Khan in a hate speech case and awarded his three years' imprisonment on Thuirsday. The Representation of the People Act says that anyone sentenced to imprisonment of two years or more shall be disqualified "from the date of such conviction" and remain disqualified for another six years after serving time.

Ali lashed out at the BJP-led government and said that action is being taken against Azam Khan but questioned whether action would be taken against BJP leaders who have made provocative statements. "Action is being taken against Azam Khan but when will action be taken against BJP leader and Union Minister who have made provocative statements," the BSP MP said. Danish Ali alleged that BJP's 'opposition-mukt Bharat' was now moving forward towards 'Muslim-free opposition

Stating that the law doesn't provide for electoral roll based on caste or religion, the poll panel noted that the Representation of People Act, 1950 and the Representation of People Act, 1951 envisage various provisions aimed at ensuring purity of electoral registration, revision and final roll and provisions for penalties and criminal liabilities for undue interference, including false declaration knowingly and promoting enmity between classes.

The case was registered against Azam Khan at Milak Kotwali in Rampur on April 9, 2019, for allegedly making provocative remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and IAS Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, the then district magistrate, under sections 153a (promoting enmity between two groups), 505-1 (statement conducing to public mischief) of IPC along with sections 125 of the Representation of People Act 1951.

The passing away of Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh has increased the burden manifold on the frail shoulders of Akhilesh Yadav. Akhilesh Yadav now faces the challenge of keeping the party as well as the family together because the Yadav family and the Samajwadi Party have so far existed more or less as one entity. The party has been the family and family is the party.

The cremation of the late leader is expected to be attended by a large number of VVIPs. "As of now we cannot disclose the names but the tentative list includes a large number of top politicians from the Centre and state," said a senior district official. Workers have been up all night preparing the ground for cremation, space for parking of cars and helipads.

President Droupadi Murmu in a tweet in Hindi described Yadav as a tall grassroots level leader who rose to prominence from a simple background. She further described the former defence minister as a leader with extraordinary abilities and said that his demise was a "great loss" to the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was pained by Yadav's demise and recalled his long association with the socialist leader.