SP chief Mulayam Singh expels UP CM Akhilesh Yadav from party for 6 years

Samajwadi Party national president Mulayam Singh Yadav today expelled Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and party general secretary Ramgopal Yadav from the party for six years over alleged indiscipline.

Mulaym's master stroke comes a day after Akhilesh, his son, finalised a list of 235 candidates for the upcoming assembly polls in defiance of the party's official list that snubbed some leaders considered close to the CM.

Uttar Pradesh DGP reached Mulayam Singh's residence amidst rumours that the party supremo is likely to take charge of the Uttar Pradesh government.

UP governor Ram Naik said there is no political crisis in the state so far.

''There is situation of political instability in UP, it's worrisome for democracy. We don't comment on internal division of any party,'' said Congress leader RS Surjewala.

Sources said Akhilesh Yadav is likely to address a press conference shortly while a defiant Ramgopal said he still is general secretary of SP and party meet called by him on Sunday will take place in any eventuality.

Meanwhile Mulam Singh's brother and SP leader Shivpal Yadav is reported to have written to party workers asking them not to attend party meet called by Ramgopal Yadav on 1 January.

Ramgopal Yadav termed his and CM Akhilesh Yadav's expulsion from Samajwadi Party as unconstitutional. Scores of supporters gathered outside UP CM's residence.

Earlier in the day, Mulayam Singh issued a show-cause notice to son and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav for 'announcing' his own list of candidates for 235 seats against the official party list.

Stung by show-cause notice, Ramgopal had called emergency meeting of SP on 1 January in his capacity as general secretary.

Akhilesh's list, which did not carry any signature, was made available on social media last night by defiant party MLAs who failed to get a ticket in the official list. It included the names of 171 sitting MLAs and 64 new faces.

''Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav doesn't understand. Ramgopal is trying to weaken him,'' Mulayam said at a press conference in Lucknow.

''To save the party, we have expelled both Ramgopal and Akhilesh Yadav for six years...,'' he said, stressing the party was more important than individuals.

When asked what if Akhilesh apologises, Mulayam answered: ''Akhilesh kya mafi mangega...Woh to ladta hain. Pita manta ho toh dekha jayega (What will Akhilesh apologise for? He keeps fighting. I'll think if he considers me his father).''

With the SP staring at a possible split, Mulayam also called a meeting on Saturday of all those allotted tickets by him, even as the CM's camp remained adamant on contesting against the official candidates of the party.