Mukhtar Ansari's Quami Ekta Dal merges with Samajwadi Party; decision taken by Mulayam Singh Yadav

Lucknow: Mukhtar Ansari 's Quami Ekta Dal on Thursday merged with the Samajwadi Party as per the decision made by party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, ANI reported.

The move comes after earlier in June SP had cancelled the merger with QED. 

QED had merged with SP on June 21 and, on the same day, Akhilesh had sacked Cabinet minister Balram Yadav for reportedly facilitating the controversial merger.

Later, SP parliamentary board had cancelled the merger and had revoked the expulsion of the minister from the cabinet.

Later BalramHe has since been re-inducted. 

QED leader Afzal Ansari had at that time blamed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for calling off the merger because of "ego" and for his own "branding".

"CM Akhilesh is responsible for cancellation of the merger. He (Akhilesh) has hijacked the party and with his ego, positive attempts of party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and his brother Shivpal has no meaning," Ansari had said.

"I am feeling humiliated and hurt due to the decision. Even Mulayam and Shivpal and many leaders of the party in eastern UP are not happy with the decision of calling off the merger," he had said.