LUCKNOW: The rival factions in Samajwadi Party appeared racing towards a split on Thursday when UP CM Akhilesh Yadav, marginalised in ticket distribution and denied the promise of any relief by father and SP boss Mulayam Singh Yadav, signalled his rebellious intent by announcing his own list of candidates for 235 seats.
The dramatic move came after the CM failed to secure any commitment from Mulayam during six hours of talks that the SP list of 325 candidates announced on Wednesday could be changed to accommodate his discarded loyalists and his preferences for other seats. Akhilesh’s retaliation brought the simmering feud in the ruling Saifai clan to a possible flashpoint and has raised the prospect of the SP splitting just ahead of assembly elections.
