The 10th Samajwadi Party National Convention in Agra marked the end of the Mulayam Singh Yadav-era in the party and the beginning of a new one led by Akhilesh Yadav who was unanimously re-elected as party national president for the second time in a row.
To give full command to Akhilesh, a change was carried out in the party Constitution increasing the term of the newly-elected national president from three years to five years.
Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav did not reach Agra to attend the convention at Targhar Ground to see his son taking up the party reigns despite personal invitation by Akhilesh on September 28. Party sources claimed he was indisposed since late Wednesday night.
The change in the party Constitution will give Akhilesh a free hand in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls as well as 2022 UP Assembly polls. This will endow him with power to decide tickets and strategise without any interference from his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav who is already isolated within the party after Mulayam refused to float a new political front on September 25.
While infighting within the party and Yadav family was at its peak, Akhilesh had staged a coup against his father Mulayam Singh Yadav on January 1 to grab the national president's post. Though Mulayam had rapped Akhilesh publicly many a times, he finally gave in and bestowed his blessings to his son.
Speaking at the convention, Akhilesh resolved to take SP outside Uttar Pradesh to check the rise of BJP at national level. Akhilesh exhorted party workers to strengthen the party and launch preparations for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Launching an attack on Modi government, Akhilesh alleged that except for making false promises, the Central government done nothing substantial for the development of the country and upliftment of farmers, youth and traders.
"Demonetisation resulted in the biggest economic crisis in the country. GST has ruined trade. Economy is going down. But our Prime Minister still claims India has achieved economic growth under his government," he charged.
