Peace deal continues to elude UP's Yadav family

SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav refused to attend the Yash Bharati awards given by the UP Government on Thursday even after all the advertisements had his photographs along with the CM. Akhilesh went to the residence of Mulayam to persuade him to attend the programme and was closet with him for 15 minutes, but the leader did not relent.

Later, Akhilesh went alone in the award function at his new Secretariat Lok Bhawan and made a brief speech without making any political comment over the ongoing dispute. This was the first official function to be attended by Akhilesh after the Monday's open public spat with his uncle at the state party office.

Around 71 dignitaries, who had excelled in different fields have been awarded this year's Yash Bharati Awards which include Rs 11-lakh cash, a citation and shawl. On the other hand, Shivpal Yadav, who is working as an emissary of Mulayam for a Mahagathabandhan (grand alliance) for the UP assembly polls, had talked with the JD(U) and RLD leaders in New Delhi.

Talking to reporters in Ghaziabad on Thursday, when he was on his way to Saharanpur to attend the first death anniversary of former UP minister Rajendra Singh Rana, Shivpal clearly said that there would be a big alliance in the UP elections and he would make all effort to prevent BJP from coming to power.

"I have talked to several leaders on Wednesday and they have positive approach on the proposal of Netaji (Mulayam)," he said with hinting that very soon a meeting would be held between the leaders to chalk out a common formula to contest the elections. After Shivpal talked with the leaders, the activity has started in New Delhi for a major alliance against BJP in UP.

Meanwhile, senior SP leader and Rajya Sabha Member Beni Prasad Verma told UNI that there was an effort for unity in the party. "We all want the party to go united in the UP elections otherwise it will be doomed for all," he stated.

The leader refused any proposal by the party to make him the leader of the Rajya Sabha. "Even if the proposal comes, I will refuse," he stated without giving any specific reason for the refusal. On the other hand, another senior leader, who was involved in the team to end the dispute, said here that the present circumstances clearly show that the party was going for a split.

"Mulayam is going for an alliance with parties, but Akhilesh rejected any alliance proposal in the past and his intention shows that he would oppose it, so where is the unity," the leader said with asking not to disclose his identity. The leader further said that the situation was very fluid and no one was ready to compromise and hence there was a less possibility of any truce.