At Shivpal rally, ‘confused’ MSY seeks votes for SP

Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, December 10

At least thrice during his brief address at the ‘Jan Akrosh’ rally of Shivpal Yadav, rebel brother and convener of Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party, Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav urged people to ensure the SP victory.

Despite Shivpal whispering his outfit’s name in the ears of his aging brother, Mulayam continued referring to his party as the Samajwadi Party, the party headed by his son Akhilesh Yadav, as the one which should get the support of the teeming crowds at the rally.

Wearing the SP’s red cap, Mulayam arrived on the dais inviting loud cheering. However, later when he repeatedly referred to Shivpal’s party as SP, the crowd started jeering at him which made him angry.

“Those who don’t want to listen to me may leave,” he retorted. When he repeated the same mistake, the crowd’s heckling became louder. An old associate of Mulayam expressed anguish at the sorry figure he cut. “He is ageing, his memory is failing him and the circumstances have confused him.”