Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav patched up with his estranged uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav of Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) and announced an alliance between the two parties ahead of next year’s assembly election in Uttar Pradesh.
Taking to Twitter, Akhilesh said on Thursday, “Met the national president of PSPA (L) and the matter of alliance has been finalised. The policy of taking regional parties along is continuously strengthening the SP and leading the party and other allies to a historic victory.”The announcement from Akhilesh came after he met his uncle at the latter’s residence in the afternoon.Hundreds of supporters of both parties gathered outside Shivpal’s residence, raising the slogan “Chacha-Bhatija zindabad”.
According to SP sources, party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav was present at his brother Shivpal’s residence before Akhilesh arrived there.Ties between Akhilesh and Shivpal turned sour in 2016 with the sacking of the latter by his nephew when he was the chief minister.
In January 2017, Akhilesh became the SP chief while Shivpal broke ranks with the party and formed his own political front.
