Old war horse Shivpal fights lonely battle

Lucknow: Shivpal Singh Yadav, a senior Samajwadi leader in Uttar Pradesh and younger brother of Mulayam Singh Yadav, is the man of the moment. He has caused upheaval in the state’s political arena by floating a new outfit called Samajwadi Secular Morcha (SSM)  which could lead to a vertical split in the samajwadi Party as the Lok Sabha elections draw near.

But 63-year-old Shivpal Yadav is treading with caution. He refuses to disclose his plans to the media, avoids making headline statements but still reveals his resolve to move ahead in a new direction.

Shivpal Yadav, political analysts feel, could be a game changer in the Lok Sabha elections by damaging the Samajwadi Party.

In an interview to this correspondent, Shivpal Yadav said that he floated the new party as it was the end of the road for him in the Samajwadi Party.

Now, he has stopped following the SP on Twitter, taken down the SP flag from his car and even his Twitter handle has been stripped of the SP name.

“For almost two years, I was  insulted and humiliated in the party. I was not called for meetings or functions. Aap logon ko jo samajhna hai samjho. I have formed the SSM for those who have been feeling insulted and humiliated in the party even though they are socialists to the core,” he said.

When asked that leaders in the SP still feel that Mulayam Singh Yadav will ultimately convince him to return to the SP, Shivpal Yadav said, “I have always respected Netaji (Mulayam Singh) and everyone in the Samajwadi Party owes his existence to him. I will never tolerate if anyone tries to humiliate him. Whatever decision I have taken is with the blessings and consent of Netaji and there will be no going back now.”

The SSM leader reiterated that since he had taken a step forward, he would not look back.

“I have built the SP and worked for almost 30 years and yet nobody spoke to me during the presidential elections. I was not invited for the dinner given on the eve of Rajya Sabha elections but when the party president phoned me and asked me to attend the dinner, I went there. I have not been invited to any party meeting or function. What is left for me to go back to?” he asked.

Shivpal Yadav said that he waited patiently for things to improve and change but the SP seemed to have strayed from its basic principles.

He said that farmers are being neglected, the poor are being sidelined and these people were hoping that the SP would address their problems but the party is not doing so. There has been no agitation after the elections and, therefore, he had to float the new party.

Asked whether his SSM would pit itself against the BJP or the SP-BSP alliance, Shivpal Yadav said, “We will contest all 80 seats and like-minded parties, those who believe in Mahatma Gandhi, Ram Manohar Lohia and Charan Singh are welcome to join us. We will contest against anyone who challenges us. Of course, we will not field our candidate against Mulayam Singh Yadav, if he contests from Mainpuri. In fact, I have offered him the SSM ticket.”

About the changing political scenario ahead of  the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Shivpal Yadav said, “The election results will reflect what the people want. There have been several occasions when elections have thrown up unexpected results. I will go straight to the people and seek their votes and support.”

Responding to SP president Akhilesh Yadav’s allegation that there was a BJP hand behind the formation of the SSM, Shivpal Yadav said, “I have never had any talks with any BJP leader and neither has anyone from their party spoken to me. I have only spoken to those leaders (read SP leaders) who have been sidelined and insulted like me and they are joining us.”

Shivpal Yadav said that he would now focus on strengthening his Morcha and travel across all 75 districts in the state to set up units and meet people.

“It is no doubt a tough task to build up a new party but the response that I am getting is encouraging. We are confident of  faring well in the Lok Sabha elections,” he said. Reacting to apprehensions that the SSM would damage the Samajwadi Party’s prospects and help the BJP in the bargain, Shivpal Yadav said, “It is for the people to decided. No party can make another lose.