Samajwadi Party Feud: Mulayam Singh Yadav Has Cemented Akhilesh's Future By Playing it Out in Public

Lucknow: When the current political crisis in the Samajwadi Party erupted with a series of sackings and resignations last month, an old hand in state BJP politics warned a Shivpal Singh Yadav supporter to tread with caution. "Dekhiyega anth mein kya hota hai" (Just see what happens in the end), was his piece of advice.

For those who have seen Mulayam Singh Yadav conduct his politics over decades, it is not difficult to fathom the course he would have taken to end the current impasse. They know from experience that if Mulayam Singh Yadav walks up north, there is something brewing down south.

If he's walking east, it is imperative to guard the western frontiers. For more references ask some of his contemporaries in active politics today: Sonia Gandhi, Prakash Karat, Nitish Kumar and of course Mamata Banerjee who joined hands with MSY for a brief moment during the previous presidential elections.

As for those who have passed away, there is a long list: Chaudhari Charan Singh, VP Singh, Chandrasekhar, Devi Lal, Harkishan Singh Surjeet et al. The only man who could get the better of Mulayam was BSP founder Kanshi Ram.

So in all these month's, whenever Mulayam chided his son Akhilesh Yadav in full public view and backed Amar Singh and Shivpal Yadav, it was construed as a sign of a father being annoyed with his son. In a country where everyone is an expert in cricket and politics, people went to the extent of predicting Akhilesh may be thrown out of the party! There were talks of Mulayam taking over the reins of power in the run up to the polls.

Seven weeks after the family feud began, just look at where we stand today:

Ram Gopal Yadav, the chacha who controlled the Delhi durbar stands expelled.

Shivpal Yadav, the second chacha and the main challenger to the Lucknow throne has once been stripped of his portfolios and then sacked summarily by Akhilesh. He's been heckled in full public view, he's been forced to swear by his son and Gangajal and he's had to go to the CM residence to seek rapprochement.

And what does Mulayam say when asked if Shivpal will be reinducted to end the crisis within:

Akhilesh as CM holds the prerogative. In an open press conference he asked Shivpal and others on the podium if anyone has problems with Akhilesh continuing as CM. Of course, the harmonious answer was an emphatic no.

And then he dangles a carrot to keep younger brother Shivpal interested in a post-poll scenario.

CM, post elections will be decided by elected legislatures. If SP finally manages to get numbers in these elections who would be the CM? A chief minister of five years who has made development his calling card or some X, Y or Z in the party? If Akhilesh Yadav became the CM in 2012 when votes were sought in Mulayam's name, who else would be the CM if SP gets people's mandate now? These questions are irrelevant and inconsequential in the current context.

MSY as always has played his cards well in the current political crisis. He's played the perfect neutral patriarch who does not side with his own son. He's played the father who cares for people outside his immediate family. He's played the disinterested mentor who is not pushing to install his son as the leader. He's played a caring brother to Shivpal and a friend who stands by his comrades during – to Amar Singh.

The voices seeking Akhilesh's elevation must come from outside. And that is precisely what his son has gone about doing: Rallying support from MLAs, MLCs and cadre.

In one stroke his son has emerged out of the shadow of his uncles. The image makeover brought about at the end of it all would make any PR agency proud. Akhilesh today is the face of the new SP (like Tony Blair's new labour). He wants to clean up the house, set it in order. It is as if law and order was never an issue in the state.

At the end of it all one is left wondering what Shivpal has gained out of this challenge. And the people in the streets of Lucknow are scratching their heads to understand where Netaji stands in this fight for MSY's legacy. For make no mistake, this is not about the CM face or state president.

This is about MSY's political legacy.

In the last one month, MSY has been the master craftsman at work, the 24 x7 politician has been quietly working out a power transition from one generation to the next.

As they say in UP, jiska jalva kayam hai, uska naam Mulayam hain.