Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party on Saturday called off its controversial merger with gangster-turned politician Mukhtar Ansari's Quami Ekta Dal after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav disapproved of it.
SP's parliamentary board annulled the merger that was announced by senior cabinet Minister and Akhilesh Yadav's uncle Shivpal Yadav on June 21.
CM Akhilesh Yadav also decided to take back Balram Yadav, who had been thrown out of his cabinet for spearheading the merger. His removal had given a clear signal that Akhilesh was not happy with the merger.
After reports of his disapproval catching media attention, quick steps were taken to control the damage, with Shivpal rushing in to meet the sulking chief minister.
Akhilesh however has not been expressing his annoyance in public, saying the decision will be discussed in an appropriate forum within the party.
Eyes were thus on the crucial Parliamentary board meet held in Lucknow. Sources say that during the two-hour long meeting, Akhilesh voiced his objection to the merger.
He was also supported by party general secretary Ramgopal Yadav. Akhilesh said the merger at this stage discredited the government commitment towards improving law and order and also weakened his poll agenda of development.
A firm no from the young chief minister, who is also all set to lead the party's campaign in the 2017 state elections, led the meeting presided by Mulayam singh to roll back the decision.
However, as a compromise formula, Akhilesh was asked to relent on Balram Yadav and reinduct him in the cabinet.
The SP parliamentary board thus gave the message that Akhilesh - often seen as a weak chief minister - has the bigger say as far as UP polls are concerned.
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