Akhilesh would have continued as CM had he listened to us: Shivpal Yadav

Akhilesh and his uncle Shivpal were engaged in a bitter struggle for control over their party in past.

Badaun: Senior Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Singh Yadav on Friday said that his nephew Akhilesh would have stayed as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh had he listened to his seniors. Akhilesh is currently the president of the Samajwadi Party founded by his father and veteran politician Mulayam Singh Yadav.

"Had he listened to his seniors, Samajwadi Party would have retained power in the state and Akhilesh Yadav would have stayed the chief minister," the estranged uncle of the SP chief said.

"As kids, Akhilesh Yadav and (local MP) Dharmendra Yadav have played in my lap. I looked after them and got them married but the new generation does not listen to anyone," he lamented.

He, however, refused to comment when asked about the possibility of a grand alliance against the BJP in the 2019 general polls.

"I will not like to raise any question on the reasoning of the party chief, " he said.

"It is my appeal to the office bearers to remain united in the interest of the party... I have always been dedicated to the party," he added.

Asked about the absence of office bearers and legislators from his programmes, he said he didn't know the reason but wherever he went, people came to meet him. 

(With PTI inputs)