Mulayam expels Akhilesh, Ram Gopal Yadav: As it happened

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday expelled his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minsiter Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years for "indulging in anti-party activities".

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday expelled his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years for "indulging in anti-party activities". 

30 December 2016

22:56 PM

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Juhi Singh resigns from the post.

21:46 PM

A high alert has been sounded across Uttar Pradesh after the ongoing war in the ruling SP turned for worse on Friday with expulsion of CM Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav.

Officials said instructions have been sent to all District Magistrates and police chiefs following protests by Akhilesh supporters. Security meanwhile has been beefed up outside the SP headquarters in the state capital, the Chief Minister's residence, and the house of party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

21:16 PM

In a letter to party leaders, the party`s Uttar Pradesh chief Shivpal Singh Yadav says the convention was unconstitutional and that they should not travel to the state capital for it or sign any papers with regard to it. He went on to state that anyone from the party who would be participating in the meeting will be considered working against the party and face action.

21:02 PM

UP Governor Ram Naik says developments in Samajwadi Party intra-party issue, I am keeping a watch.

21:02 PM

UP CM Akhilesh Yadav directs UP DGP to ensure adequate security is deployed outside Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shivpal Yadav's residence.

20:31 PM

BJP MP Yogi Adityanath says Akhilesh Yadav should tender his resignation immediately.

20:24 PM

Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav calls for a meeting with all MLAs at 9 AM tomorrow.

20:23 PM

100 Samajwadi Party MLAs reach Akhilesh Yadav's residence to chalk out future strategy.

20:18 PM

Supporters gather outside Akhilesh Yadav's residence, raise slogans in his support after SP Chief expels UP CM for 6 years from the party.

Protesters tear down the posters of Shivpal Singh Yadav.

20:17 PM

BJP leader Shrikant Sharma says, In family-centered parties, if the family breaks up, the party also falls apart.

People of UP had already waved Akhilesh off, his expulsion doesn't have much impact, Sharma says.

20:16 PM

Akhilesh Yadav may step down as UP CM, reports say. He is likely to stake claim on the Samajwadi Party symbol 'Cycle'.

20:15 PM

Janata Dal (United) leadser Sharad Yadav terms the latest developments as unfortunate.

20:14 PM

Ram Gopal Yadav terms his and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's expulsion from Samajwadi Party as unconstitutional.

Ram Gopal Yadav says it is unconstitutional to expel anybody without hearing to them just hours after issuing show-cause notice.

He questioned Samajwadi Party patrirach's decision saying, Netaji isn't aware of party's constitution.

20:13 PM

In a tough action, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav today expelled his son and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav as well as general secretary Ramgopal Yadav from the party for six years for "gross indiscipline", a decision that will lead to a political crisis in Uttar Pradesh.

Making the announcement at a press conference here, Mulayam said the new Chief Minister will be chosen by the Samajwadi Party.

Flanked by brother Shivpal Yadav, who has been at loggerheads with the Chief Minister, Mulayam said he had taken the action against Akhilesh and Ramgopal to save the party which he had built through hard efforts.

The Akhilesh faction with Ram Gopal Yadav's support came up with a separate list of candidates, sparking a crisis in the party which appeared virtually heading towards a split as its five year rule in the state draws to a close.

Asserting his authority over the SP, Mulayam said only he, as the party chief, had the right to call a national council meet of the party and nobody else could do it.