In a harsh comeback, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav today expelled his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav as well as general secretary Ramgopal Yadav from the party for six years for "gross indiscipline," a decision that will likely lead to a political crisis in Uttar Pradesh.
Making the announcement at a press conference here, Mulayam said the new Chief Minister will be chosen by the Samajwadi Party.
"I solely founded the party, what is their (Akhilesh and Ram Gopal) contribution? They are destroying the party," he said.
Flanked by brother Shivpal Yadav, who has been at loggerheads with the Chief Minister, Mulayam said he had taken the action against Akhilesh and Ramgopal to save the party which he had built through hard efforts.
Earlier in the day, Mulayam issued a showcause notice to Akhilesh for issuing a candidate list separately for the upcoming state assembly polls.
"I will decide as to who will be the chief ministerial candidate of the party," he insisted.
This move comes after Akhilesh, earlier on Thursday, released a list of 235 candidates out of the total 403 seats for upcoming state assembly elections, a day after party supremo had released the official list.
"We have declared list of 325 candidates for the 2017 assembly polls; 78 seats still remain. Name of candidates for rest of the 78 seats will be announced soon," Mulayam said on Wednesday while announcing the list.
The Samajwadi Party supremo announced the first list in the absence of his son, who is at loggerheads with his uncle Shivpal Yadav over distribution of tickets.
Akhilesh's name did not figure in the first list. Mulayam, however, said that his son, being the Chief Minister, can contest from any assembly seat he wishes to.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
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