Thrown out of SP by father Mulayam, 'Tipu' managed 'coup' in just 2 days to become 'Akhilesh Yadav'

The Candidate: The roots of Akhilesh Yadav's political journey trace back to the inception of the Samajwadi Party by his father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition.

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Edited By: Prateek Gautam
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The Candidate: As the battleground for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 intensifies, political parties across India are ramping up their efforts and solidifying alliances. With the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the INDIA bloc emerging as the two principal factions, the political landscape is fraught with anticipation and fervour. Against this backdrop, the recent rally held by the opposition's INDIA bloc in Mumbai's Shivaji Park marked a significant chapter in the unfolding saga of Indian politics. Notably absent from the gathering was the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and the leader of the Samajwadi Party (SP) - Akhilesh Yadav.

But how did the former CM of UP became the name he is today? How did he came he came out of the shadows of his father and the founder of SP - Mulayam Singh Yadav? 

The Genesis of a Political Dynasty

The roots of Akhilesh Yadav's political journey trace back to the inception of the Samajwadi Party by his father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition. For years, Mulayam Singh Yadav held sway over the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh, establishing himself as a formidable force in Indian politics. Yet, it was his son, Akhilesh Yadav, who would eventually challenge the foundations of his father's legacy.

A Son's Rebellion

Amidst simmering familial discord and political turbulence, Akhilesh Yadav emerged as a beacon of defiance, challenging the hegemony of his father within the Samajwadi Party. In a daring move, Akhilesh orchestrated a coup within the party, deftly manoeuvring to seize control and assert his authority as the new face of the SP.

The Coup d'État

On January 1, 2017, Akhilesh Yadav, alongside his uncle Ram Gopal Yadav, convened a national convention of the Samajwadi Party, signalling the dawn of a new era in Uttar Pradesh's political landscape. In a swift and calculated move, Akhilesh usurped the reins of power from his father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, assuming the mantle of party president and ushering in a wave of transformative change. During the same session, the party passed three key resolutions:

  1. Akhilesh Yadav was named national president, with Mulayam Singh Yadav relegating to an advisary role.
  2. Shivpal Singh Yadav was dismissed as SP's state president, and Akhilesh appointed his brother Dharmendra Yadav in his uncle's place.
  3. Veteran leader Amar Singh was dismissed from the party.

Akhilesh Yadav and uncle Shivpal had been at odds for quite some time. Earlier in October 2016, the two had a disagreement on a public forum. Mulayam Singh Yadav has taken the position of SP state president from Akhilesh and given it to Shivpal. In reaction, Akhilesh removed Shivpal from the government.

However, after a compromise, the fight between the state's largest political family resumed in the ticket distribution dispute, and on December 30, 2016, Mulayam Singh Yadav met with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, while Party General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav was expelled from the Samajwadi Party.

Following this, Akhilesh put the ball in his court by rallying 212 MLAs and carrying out a coup in the party on the first day of the new year in 2017.

In this coup, Ram Gopal Yadav used the party constitution as a weapon. The party constitution states that the party general secretary has the authority to summon the party's national convention. He therefore convened a conference. Yadav understood that the then-state president, Shivpal Yadav, would not attend the convention, so he invited party vice president Kiranmoy Nanda. Ram Gopal and Akhilesh Yadav pulled off this upset with a numerical advantage.

Following the coup, the fight for party supremacy reached the Election Commission, but Akhilesh Yadav (Tipu) emerged victorious. Following the event, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav's talks came to an end.

A Triumph of Vision

With unwavering determination and strategic acumen, Akhilesh Yadav navigated the tumultuous waters of internal party strife, emerging victorious in his bid for supremacy within the Samajwadi Party. Through astute political manoeuvring and grassroots mobilisation, Akhilesh cemented his position as a dynamic leader, poised to lead Uttar Pradesh into a new era of progress and prosperity.

In the annals of Uttar Pradesh's political saga, Akhilesh Yadav's journey from rebellion to leadership stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of resilience and fortitude. As he charts a course towards the future, Akhilesh Yadav remains steadfast in his commitment to serve the people of Uttar Pradesh, heralding a new dawn of hope and opportunity for the state and its citizens.