Mulayam, Akhilesh to knock EC doors for 'cycle'

New Delhi: The Samajwadi Party family war today reached the capital, with its veteran leader Mulayam Singh Yadav arriving here to file his claim before the Election Commission for the party's 'cycle' electoral symbol. Mr Yadav's younger brother Shiv Pal Yadav and his party colleague Amar Singh have also reached here to devise their strategy. From the Akhilesh side, Prof Ram Gopal Yadav was expected to approach the Election Commission. Both Mr Amar and Mr Shivpal have expressed their loyalty to 'Netaji' Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The ruling Samajwadi Party yesterday underwent split, when Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was declared as the new national president of the party in Lucknow, replacing Mulayam Singh Yadav, while Amar Singh was sacked from the party and Shivpal Singh Yadav was removed from the state party president's post, at a national convention called by the Akhilesh faction.

The emergency national delegate meeting of SP, called by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Prof Ram Gopal Yadav, has also made Mulayam Singh Yadav as the party's patron. The veteran SP founder-leader has, meanwhile, cancelled his January 5 national convention that had been called in the wake of the political coup staged by Akhilesh Yadav. The Mulayam camp is expected to meet the Election Commission at 1630 hrs. (UNI)