Mulayam Singh Yadav

First Aparna Yadav and now her father-in-law Mulayam, members of one the most powerful political families in Uttar Pradesh, have been coming out in support of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of late.

The SP satrap made the statement during his speech in Lok Sabha. This was the last day of the 16th Lok Sabha before the nation goes to polls.

The leader is often seen balancing his relations with son Akhilesh Yadav who now heads the SP and his brother Shivpal Singh Yadav, who has floated a rival party.

Andhra CM Naidu reached Mulayam Singh Yadav's official residence here in the evening and spent some time with him.

A committee, headed by Ompal Nehra, former cabinet minister was also formed under the veteran leader to work out resolution on the cases and bring back peace in the region

Starting with Samajwadi patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, Shivpal Yadav and the new party president Akhilesh Yadav, everyone took part in the celebrations on Wednesday.

MSY had a detailed discussion with brother Shivpal Yadav on Wednesday afternoon at his residence in Lucknow. Shivpal, it is reported, congratulated nephew Akhilesh over telephone on getting a second term as party president.

Ahead of the SP's 10th national convention, party's top brass assembled today for the national executive meeting which will set the tone for deliberations.

Though he did not elaborate on what transpired at the meeting -- believed to be the first between the two in many months -- it was being seen in the party as a reconciliatory effort by Akhilesh ahead of the crucial national conference.

Speculation was rife in political circles that the 77-year-old SP patriarch was likely to announce a new outfit at the press conference along with virtually defunct Lok Dal, while retaining the 'samajwadi' tag in its name.

Blowing hot and cold, the Samajwadi patriarch said his blessings were with his son Akhilesh Yadav though he did not agree with the decisions made by him.

The hint of an imminent split in the SP came yesterday when Mulayam and his brother-aide Shivpal Yadav stayed away from a state convention of the party-- which they had founded 25 years ago -- saying they were not invited.

Fresh strains are palpable in the Samajwadi Party ahead of its state and national convention, with Mulayam yesterday dumping Akhilesh-loyalist Ram Gopal Yadav from the post of secretary of the Lohia Trust and appointing Shivpal Yadav in his place.

The SP is holding is state convention on September 23 in the state capatal while its national convention is scheduled on October 5 in Agra

After BJP‘s thumping victory in Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, political parties will look for scapegoats. There will likely be voices and concerns raised on how Samajwadi Party, Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party went about campaigning for the state election.

# The opposition camp within the party will strengthen. Madhukar Jaitley has already raised the voice. It will soon get shriller.

They say well begun is half done. The voters of UP affirmed that the boys of UP were half baked.

These elections are widely being seen as a virtual referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation decision and they would also be a test for Yadav who recently took charge as the national president of the Samajwadi Party.

"The Samajwadi Party-Congress combine is set to get absolute majority. We will win 236-240 seats...there is no question of hung assembly," the party general secretary told reporters on Parliament premises.

Ruling Samajwadi Party is facing a tough battle as it tries to retain the seven Assembly seats it had won last time out of nine in Uttar Pradesh capital, while BJP and BSP queer the pitch.