Exclusive Interview: Shivpal Yadav's taunt on Akhilesh, said - destruction is black opposite intellect; I was only insulted in SP

Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (PrSP) President Shivpal Singh Yadav is angry with Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav. The reason for this is the constant neglect in the party. Shivpal says it was a very good opportunity for Akhilesh to oust the BJP from power in the 2022 assembly elections, but with 'Vanash Kale Viparita Wisdom'. Excerpts from the conversation of special correspondent Shobhit Srivastava with Shivpal Yadav:

What are the reasons for your displeasure with SP President Akhilesh Yadav?

Before the assembly elections, I joined the SP. Then contested the election on the SP ticket. I am also one of the 111 MLAs of SP. Despite this, I was not invited to the meeting of the SP Legislature Party. When asked about this to Akhilesh, he talked about convening a meeting with the parties of the alliance. I did not have any alliance with SP, I had fought elections by joining SP. If I was accepted into the coalition, then why was I not invited to the coalition meetings before the election?

Don't you think that you have sacrificed your party in the affair of SP?

Before the assembly elections, I went to all the districts of the state by taking out the Rath Yatra. The workers wanted us (SP-Praspa) to become one. On the voice of the people, I joined SP with full dedication. Acknowledged Akhilesh as his leader. I was the senior-most leader in SP after Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) and Azam Khan, yet I was not used in elections. I was not even placed among the star campaigners, not given any responsibility in the party. Despite the biggest victory among the leaders of the opposition, I am being neglected. I got nothing but insult in SP. If Akhilesh had used my party's leaders and organization in the elections, he would have been in the government today. On the contrary, he insulted the leaders supporting me. There was a good chance to remove BJP but Akhilesh's condition has become like 'Vinaash Kale Viparita Buddhi'.

When was the last time you met Akhilesh?

My last meeting with Akhilesh was on 25th March, after which a meeting of the Legislature Party was called on 26th.

How did you agree to a seat in the election?

I had initially asked for 100 seats from Akhilesh. When he refused, I gave him the names of 35 winning candidates. In the end, I even said that at least 15 seats should be given. He gave only one seat. I agreed because the same voice was coming from everywhere that both should become one.

What is the reason that you made a direct attack on Mulayam Singh Yadav for the first time?

I did not attack Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav). All I said was that Netaji should have taken up the issue of harassment of senior socialist leaders like Azam Khan under his leadership. Netaji could have raised the matter in the Lok Sabha and talked to the Prime Minister, but he did not.

-What are your plans? There are allegations that you are helping BJP?

Allegations of helping the BJP are baseless. My priority is to strengthen the party by restructuring the organization. Wherever there is injustice in the state, I will reach there and fight for justice. I will also fight to get Azam out of jail.

There are talks of you going to BJP, have you met any big BJP leaders?

Many discussions are going on in politics. I was, am, and will be a socialist leader. As far as meeting BJP leaders is concerned, courtesy meetings are held in politics.