India, LUCKNOW: SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's efforts to put together a 'Mahagathbandhan' in UP before assembly polls, just like it happened in bihar and Nitish was the beneficiary. Have run into rough weather with Janata Parivar constituents JD(U) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) wary of alliance with SP unless UP CM Akhilesh Yadav is on board.
This development comes amid reports of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi making it clear to SP that he was willing to consider a joint fight only if Akhilesh emerges as the face of SP.
As far as we perceive, the squabble between Akhilesh and Shivpal is going to sustain. That will be unfortunate not only for a political party but also for the proposed grand alliance," said the RLD functionary.
JD(U) member and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has said that Mahagathbandhan in UP is possible only if SP and BSP come together. Nitish is apprehensive of Mulayam given his experience in Bihar where SP pulled out of the grand alliance at the last moment before the assembly polls last year.
Political experts said SP's internal squabble was bound to push the Yadav and Muslim vote base in a deep uncertainty and thwart the chances of stopping the BJP or BSP from coming to power.
Retorting to the reports of stitching a Bihar style grand alliance with the Congress Party ahead of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, said that the final call in this regard will be taken by party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.
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