'Son'rise in SP: EC hands over 'Cycle' symbol to Akhilesh Yadav

 In a major boost to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, the Election Commission today recognised the faction headed by him as the Samajwadi Party and alloted the reserved symbol 'Bicycle' to it for contesting the coming Assembly elections.

The group led by Akhilesh Yadav is the Samajwadi Party and is entitled to use its name and reserved symbol Bicycle, the three-member Election Commission headed by Nasim Zaidi said in its order.
The verdict comes a day ahead of the start of the filing of nominations in the seven-phased polls in the state beginning on February 11.
The order, dealing a major blow to Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, came after the EC heard the two sides on Friday.
It also came within a fortnight of Akhilesh being anointed the national president of the party.
"The commission hereby answers the issue by holding that the groups led by Akhilesh Yadav is the Samajwadi Party and is entitled to use its name and its reserved symbol Bicycle for the purposes of the Election symbols (Reservation and allotment) order 1968," the EC order said. 

Reacting to the EC order, a jubilant Ramgopal Yadav, who is the chief minister's uncle and General Secretary of the group, said, "The EC took the right decision as they (Mulayam camp) did not have any supporting documents to claim symbol and party name."
"The Chief Minister is very happy," he said. 

About party's plans for an alliance with Congress in the state for the coming elections, he said, "The party president will be deciding it. I hope it will happen." As news of EC order trickled in, hordes of Akhilesh loyalists broke into celebrations outside the 5-Kalidas Marg residence of the chief minister.
There were scenes of jubilation in the VIP security zone that houses the complex where Akhilesh and Mulayam live in separate bungalows.
"Our prayer has been answered. We will now work with full zeal and vigour to ensure the victory of our Akhilesh bhaiya," said a youth SP leader outside the CM's bungalow.

As soon as he got the news, Akhilesh went to meet his father to seek his blessings. Interestingly, the EC announcement came hours after Akhilesh supporters put up his brand new name plate at the SP headquarters that read "Akhilesh Yadav, Party President" strategically positioned directly under his father's nameplate which mentions Mulayam as "Party President". 

#WATCH: Supporters celebrate outside Akhilesh Yadav's residence in Lucknow aftr EC says group led by him is entitled to use 'Bicycle' symbol pic.twitter.com/nHDMFB6Pjm

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Earlier Mulayam Singh Yadav had said that he would accept the EC's decision. "We will accept whatever the Election Commission decides. I called Akhilesh thrice, but he came only for a minute and left before I could start my talks," Mulayam reportedly told party workers. "My son is acting on the behest of Ramgopal Yadav. I am trying my best to save the party and cycle, and if he (Akhilesh) doesn't listen, then I will fight against him," Mulayam said.  

The three-member poll body, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi, on Friday heard the arguments put forward by the two factions. The Commission's order is expected on Monday as the notification for the first phase of the seven-phase assembly elections in the state will be issued from Tuesday. The Samajwadi Party fight refuses to subside, as the current stalemate between Akhilesh and Mulayam over the post of party president, failed to reach a conclusion.

Both Yadavs' names on the nameplate at SP office (PTI)

Earlier, SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav said he would contest against Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in the assembly elections if he does not "listen" to him, seeking to wield the stick after the chief ministership carrot failed to make his rebellious son fall in line.

With chances of a rapprochement between the two warring factions in the party receding with each passing day, Mulayam accused Akhilesh of having a "negative approach" towards Muslims, a loyal vote bank of the Samajwadi Party for years.

"Akhilesh is acting at the behest of Ramgopal (Yadav). If he does not listen, I will fight against him," Mulayam, a Lok Sabha member from Azamgarh, told party workers.

Ram Gopal, a member of the Rajya Sabha and Mulayam's cousin, has sided with Akhilesh in his fight for control over the party.

The SP founder alleged that Akhilesh had a "negative approach" towards Muslims and that he was playing into the hands of Ramgopal Yadav, who was working "on directions of BJP".

"I will live for Muslims and die for them. When it comes to Muslims' interest, I will also fight against him (Akhilesh)", he said.

"I have always stood for protecting the interest of the Muslims. When I ensured appointment of a Muslim as the state's Director General of Police (DGP), Akhilesh did not talk to me for 15 days. He did not want any Muslim on this post. It sent an anti-Muslim message," Mulayam said.

The Samajwadi Party supremo said he had made many sacrifices to build the party and Akhilesh sacked several ministers including a woman without valid reasons.

Mulayam had sprung a surprise earlier this month when he said Akhilesh will be the chief minister if party retained power after the assembly elections, extending an olive branch to his recalcitrant son. However, Akhilesh and Ramgopal Yadav, a key stretegist of the party, have steadfastly rejected the overture.

Akhilesh reportedly demanded that he be allowed to continue to lead the party for the next three months, a demand that was rejected by Mulayam.

Amid reports that the Akhilesh camp enjoyed support of a majority of party delegates, MPs and legislators, Mulayam indicated he may move the court if the party's name and election symbol was allotted to the rival camp by the Election Commission.

Mulayam said it was upto the EC to decide on it but the fight will "reach the court".

Earlier in the day, Mulayam reached the residence of his younger brother and state SP president Shivpal Yadav.

Interestingly, he also called Naresh Uttam, who has been appointed party state president by Akhilesh, and he was present during Mulayam's address to partymen.

Mulayam said he was trying his best to save the party and slammed Akhilesh for "not understanding things".

With inputs from ANI and PTI