SP’s silver Jubilee event, Top ‘Janta Parivar’ leaders attend

TIL Desk/National/Lucknow/ The Samajwadi Party’s silver jubilee celebrations began in Lucknow on Saturday amid scenes of bonhomie. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav touched the feet of party state president and his uncle Shivpal Yadav at the sprawling Janeshwar Mishra Park.

Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda arrived at the venue along with RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rajya Sabha member Ram Jethmalani. Shivpal Yadav plunges into the controversy and says: I will make whatever sacrifice you want me to. I will bear humiliation too but I won’t let anyone humiliate Netaji (Mulayam Singh).”

“… How many times will you humiliate me?” Shivpal questions Akhilesh Yadav. Shivpal Yadav says it is because of Netaji’s struggle and the risks he took that SP was able to form a government in UP thrice. The family feud has calmed for the time being as Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav shares the stage with Shivpal Yadav, accompanied by SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar stayed away from the event due to the chhat puja celebrations.”I have personally told Shivpal (Yadav) about this as right now chhat puja is being observed in Bihar. When Mulayam Singh Yadav ji called me, I explained him the reason behind me skipping the event. I would have definitely joined the celebration had the date not clashed with chhat puja,” he had said.