Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday indicated that his estranged uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav could rejoin the Samajwadi Party (SP) and noted that the party was willing to accept anyone who wants to join it.
“There is democracy in our party and we are open to accepting anyone who wants to join us. Everyone is welcome in SP without a second thought,” Akhilesh Yadav said at a press conference here.
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav on being asked about the possibility of Shivpal Yadav rejoining the party: There is democracy in our family. Our party is open to anyone who wants to come. Everyone is welcome here. #Lucknow pic.twitter.com/44yf1hVWPU
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 20, 2019
The SP chief was responding to a question about a possible return of Shivpal Yadav.
“SP is accused of family rule but that is not true. There is democracy in our family. We are expanding our family so we can fight the assembly election and form a strong government,” Akhilesh Singh Yadav said.
Assembly polls will be held in Uttar Pradesh in 2022. Samajwadi Party fared poorly in the Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year.
ALSO READ: BJP’s Chinmayanand, accused of rape by law student, arrested by SIT
Shivpal Singh Yadav had formed Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (PSP) last year after leaving the Samajwadi Party.
He had on Sunday hinted at an alliance with Samajwadi Party for the assembly elections.
“When elections are around, then there will be talks of an alliance but we will not go back to Samajwadi Party. We will talk to those who want to ally with usWe can ally with Samajwadi Party as well,” Shivpal Singh Yadav said on Sunday.