Nanda, who was brought from West Bengal politics by Mulayam and given the second highest position in the party organisation, also chose to side with Akhilesh. In the past, Nanda has often cited his long association with Mulayam, calling him his inspiration in politics.
Defending his decision to side with Akhilesh, Nanda said that the coming elections were a challenge for the SP and to ensure that the public did not have any confusion about the party, he and other senior leaders were showing their faith in the leadership of Akhilesh. “Akhilesh is a national leader and people in every state know him,” Nanda said, while adding, “I cannot leave Netaji … I was with him when he established the party.”
Nanda also accused some people of “conspiring” against the party by confusing Mulayam, and said it was all the more necessary hence to make Akhilesh party president.
Balram Yadav and Durga Prasad Yadav, two ministers from Mulayam’s constituency Azamgarh, also chose to be at Akhilesh’s convention against his orders. Rajya Sabha MP and former treasurer Chandrapal Singh Yadav sat on the dais, while Basic Education Minister Ahmed Hasan, a former police officer who was brought into politics by Mulayam, was present and supported Akhilesh’s elevation.
Veteran SP leader Uday Pratap Singh, who once taught Mulayam in his college days and holds the rank of minister in the Akhilesh government, attended too.
