Akhilesh signals rapprochement, says he will support Shivpal

Lucknow, Sep 17 (PTI) Signalling a rapprochement, UttarPradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today said he willextend all support to his uncle Shivpal, with whom he waslocked in a bitter turf war that spilled out into the openfollowing Shivpal’s appointment as SP’s state unit president. "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 reporters,trying to drive home the point that all is well in the partyafter the public feud between the factions led by the twoleaders. Akhilesh’s remarks came a day after he said that he felt"very sad" when he was replaced with Shivpal as the stateparty president by his father and party supremo Mulayam SinghYadav and demanded that he be given a say in the ticketdistribution for the 2017 Assembly election. Last night, he announced that his disgruntled uncle willbe given back his portfolios and Gayatri Prajapati will bereinducted as Cabinet minister, issues which had triggered anall-out war between the two. Mulayam yesterday met both Akhilesh and brother Shivpalto work out a truce between them. Asked about his demand on ticket distribution, Akhileshtoday said, "It’s going to be my examination (in elections). Iwill certainly say that much to the national president whom Ilike." "Politics is not a game for me, it is a serious business.I am a player…have played football and cricket also…Idon’t score self goal," he said. About protests by his supporters, Akhilesh said, "Ihave appealed them not to engage in any sloganeering or useany posters or hoardings. It’s election time and everyoneshould go to booth level and spread awareness on the good workdone by the government." "Wherever the youths go, the direction changes. We have agreat organisation," he said. Apparently attacking BJP, he said that "some parties"are "expert" in propaganda and "they have got a chance. Theymust be happy that samajwadis are fighting". When asked about his meeting with Shivpal, he said ina lighter vein, "You can say anything. You are saying I hadlunch there, but I only had tea". MORE PTI ABNRT