Mulayam Singh Yadav sacks brother Ram Gopal from party for six years

Shortly after the sacking, Shivpal Singh Yadav said that Ram Gopal betrayed the party in order to save his son and daughter-in-law from a CBI case.

Lucknow: Amidst high drama in Samajwadi Party on Sunday, Mulayam Singh Yadav sacked his cousin brother and the party's national general secretary Ram Gopal for six years on charges of anti-party activities.

This comes hours after Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav suspended several of his lawmakers, including his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav from the Cabinet.

Shortly after the sacking of Ram Gopal, Shivpal Singh, who is party's UP chief, said that he betrayed the party in order to save his son and daughter-in-law from a CBI case.

“He is involved with corrupt people. Ram Gopal has always misused the name of Netaji (Mulayam Yadav) at various party forums, Singh alleged.

Singh alleged that the former party national general secretary has been “involved with the BJP”to save his son”.

"He met a senior BJP leader thrice and is trying to save his son Akshay and daughter-in-law from action by the CBI," he said.

He also said that when the earlier BSP government hounded the SP workers, Ram Gopal Yadav never came to their aid.

Referring to his suspension by Akhilesh, he said that the chief minister “must understand who is with him and who is not”.

Another minister Sayeda Shadab Fatima, who was also suspended by Akhilesh, said, “It's his prerogative, he did what he thought was correct; not right to question it.”