Yadav family feud ends, Shivpal’s portfolios restored

Lucknow, Sep 17 (PTI) The feud in Uttar Pradesh’s firstfamily has ended, with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav tonightrestoring all but one portfolios of Shivpal Yadav andpromising to support him as SP’s state unit president, a postfrom which he was himself removed three days back triggeringthe power tussle with his uncle. As per the compromise worked out by SP chief MulayamSingh Yadav, Akhilesh’s demand of having a say in ticketdistribution has been met as he will be made the head of thestate Parliamentary Board, which makes final decisions ondeciding the candidates, party sources said. Before the announcement was made, Mulayam held a meetingwith brother Shivpal and Akhilesh this evening to end thedeadlock and discuss ways to strengthen the party. Akhilesh restored Shivpal’s key portfolios includingIrrigation and Cooperative which were taken away three daysback. Shivpal was also given additional portfolios of MinorIrrigation and Medical Education. However, Public Works Department, which was among theportfolios taken away from Shivpal, was kept by the CM withhimself. The Chief Minister has also sought time from the RajBhawan for oath of sacked minister Gayatri Prajapati, a RajBhawan release issued this evening said. Akhilesh had stripped Shivpal of the portfolios andsacked Prajapati after he was replaced by his uncle as theparty’s state unit head, triggering a full blown war in thefamily. Subsequently, Shivpal had tendered his resignationfrom the Cabinet as well as party post. "I have myself congratulated SP’s UP unit presidentShivpal Yadav after meeting him at his residence…. I willextend all my support to Shivpalji," Akhilesh told reportershere earlier in the day, indicating rapproachment with hisuncle with whom he was engaged in a turf war. His remarks came a day after he said he felt "very sad"when he was replaced with Shivpal as the state party presidentby his father Mulayam Singh Yadav. (MORE) PTI ABN AKKAKK