Holi milan or a meeting of two hearts?

Lucknow,March 12(HS) The “holi milan” of SP president Akhilesh Yadav with Shivpal Singh Yadav,his estranged uncle, on Tuesday was not for nothing.It was indicative of a re-union and end of family feud.

None had to wait long.The suspense ended the next day when the latter talked of tie-up during the state Assembly elections in 2022.

Akhilesh has not  said anything on the issue so far.He may come out of his view on Saturday when the working committee of the party will meet to discuss the future strategy.

He had announced after separating from Mayawati,BSP chief,that he would contest the Assembly and other elections in future alone.But he too knows that though Shivpal cannot  win but he  can cut into his vote- share and cause much damage to him and his party politically.

There is a proof,if a proof is needed.In the previous Lok Sabha poll the SP could win only five seats out of total 80.Three family members including his wife lost.Only he and his father Mulayam Singh Yadav could reach the Lok Sabha.

The gainer was the BSP which had contested the election in alliance with him.There was a big jump.The party could win ten seats as against zero in 2014.

He may not join hands with Mayawati because that has not helped.But tie-up with Shivpal will be beneficial to him and he knows it.

That will pose a bigger challenge to both the BJP and the BSP.The Congress is no more a bigger political player and it is unlikely to change the status soon.

Mulayam will love it.Founder of the party, he was not happy with split in SP.The octogenerian had tried to persuade Shivpal,his brother,not to a form a new party and move out of the parent organisation. But he had gone ahead with his plan and formed a new outfit,Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party ( Lohia) in 2018.

The new party had contested a number of  seats in the Lok Sabha elections but drawn a blank.He had,however,succeeded in teaching Akhilesh,what his supporters called later, a “lesson”.Both seem to have turned wise now.