Akhilesh Yadav’s Uncle Meets Yogi Adityanath, Calls It ‘Courtesy Meet’

Lucknow: Shivpal Yadav uncle of Akhilesh Yadav who had himself joined hands with the Samajwadi Party, ahead of polls, Wednesday met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for what he described as a “courtesy visit”. The two had a 30-minute meeting, NDTV sources said.

Yet no details of the meeting have been shared. The optics of the meeting is expected to weigh against the Samajwadi Party, which is seen to be on a strong wicket after its hugely improved performance in the recently concluded assembly elections.

Sources close to Akhilesh Yadav said the uncle and nephew had a fallout of sorts when they met last on March 24.

“Shivpal Yadav had asked for a bigger organizational role but Akhilesh Yadav had suggested that Shivpal expand his political party Pragatisheel Samajwadi party with the support of SP,” sources said.

Ahead of the 2017 Assembly Elections Shivpal Yadav had formed his political party. He is still said to have considerable heft within the SP.

The six-time MLA had contested on a Samajwadi Party ticket from Jaswant Nagar seat of Etawah, but there is speculation that he might pull away at least five MLAs from the SP if he chooses to side with the BJP.

The focus now is on the 2024 general elections, any leaning towards the BJP by Shivpal Yadav is likely to count against Akhilesh Yadav.

Former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is has established himself as strong opposition to the BJP this time, turning the traditional multi-cornered contests in the state into a bipolar one.

Ahead of the elections, the Samajwadi Party had to suffer a loss of face ahead of the election when Akhilesh Yadav’s sister-in-law Aparna Yadav, had quit SP and joined BJP.

The Samajwadi Party had won 125 seats in the election, up from 47 in 2017. Akhilesh Yadav has quit his parliamentary seat to focus on the state ahead of the 2024 general election.