Doubtless, if SP goes to people with this image, the party is bound to get setback. Mulayam Singh on Friday came out with a four-point peace formula to resolve the crisis. The peace formula seems to be tilted in favour of Shivpal who is to get back the four key portfolios, Akhilesh had divested him off. Shivpal, who was appointed chief of state party unit in place of Akhilesh, will continue to hold the place.

Akhilesh wants to have full authority in distribution of election tickets. “It will be a test for me in election… I have told Netaji”. Also, as part of the compromise solution, Akhilesh is expected to have a bigger say in selection of party nominees for next year’s assembly poll.

However, the formula failed to be the perfect prescription for peace with Akhilesh and Shivpal arguing their respective cases publicly, showing little indication that they decided to bury hatchet. On his part, Akhilesh bluntly acknowledged that he divested “uncle Shivpal” of the important portfolio of public works department and irrigation to avenge his own removal as state party chief.

The intra-party squabbles in SP is keeping the BJP leadership on the toes as the saffron party feels a weakened SP can pit it in direct contest with the BSP. BJP leaders feel in a triangular contest with SP and BSP, it would have benefitted as was evident in the robust performance in 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Congress Party’s Chief Ministerial candidate, Sheila Dikshit says it’s not just the congress but everyone will benefit. The crisis in SP had deepened on Thursday with senior most minister Shivpal resigning from the Akhilesh ministry and also quitting the post of UP Samajwadi party chief. Shivpal’s decision to resign means all efforts by Mulayam Singh to enforce truce came unstuck. Also this means immense gain to BSP Chief Mayawati.

The Samajwadi Party has plunged into crisis by a family feud within the Yadav Clan that controls the party. It all began with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav first sacking his chief secretary who was considered close to his uncle and Mulayam’s younger brother Shivpal Yadav. As party supremo, Mulayam Singh began mediating, Alhilesh himself has been removed as state Party President and replaced by Shivpal Yadav before he divested Shivpal of four key ministerial portfolios. The Yadav family feud can have major repercussions with crucial state assembly due next year.

While the present round of infighting has obviously created confusion among party workers, most of the party workers expect things to settle down. Calling Shivpal and Akhilesh “the two arms of Nejaji”, Mulayam wants Akhilesh to focus on assembly elections campaign with a clean image and let the party affairs be handled by Shivpal, who is more experienced with organizational activities and enjoy strong support of party cadres and MLAs.

Party’s old timers say Mulayam has little option but depend on his brother if SP has to win next year’s election. So what makes Shivpal so important for Mulayam? Ironically, someone at the centre of a full-brown crisis, many SP insiders say, it is the cool headed and composed manner in which Shivpal operates that leaves him best suited to end the ongoing fighting.

Even though Akhilesh is the party’s face as the chief minister, it is Shivpal, as the organization man, who is seen as the most important leader in SP after Mulayam Singh, popularly known as “netaji”. Shivpal’s regular interaction with party workers and his frequent tours across the state mean he is more in touch with the grassroots than most other leaders, which makes him invaluable for Mulayam. Shivpal, a four-term MLA, is also seen as a negotiation man for the party. He played a significant role advocating merger of the Quami Ekta Dal with the SP, later called off by the party’s parliamentary Board, ostensibly under pressure from Akhilesh. (IPA Service)