Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party has swept Uttar Pradesh and there are no two minds that it will form the next government in the state. The party has already declared that the oath-taking ceremony will take place on March 12. But there is still no clarity on who will become the Chief Minister- SP Chief Mulayam Singh or his son Akhilesh.
What is emerging is a clear rift in the party between the choice of the father and son for the coveted post. Yet, it seems more to do with the difference between two generations rather than anything else. The young blood in the party is of the view that it was the younger Yadav’s energy and raw appeal among the youth of the state that helped script the party's success story. Seen riding his party symbol, the cycle, wearing a red cap, he was very much the face of the campaign.
But older factions within the party believe the younger Yadav may be too young to handle a state as vast and complex as this. Akhilesh said yesterday that his father's experience, political wisdom and statesmanship was what UP needed at this hour.
In such a situation the task is not easy for Mulayam, who has no inhibitions in putting his son at the hem of affairs. The first is that if Akhilesh becomes the Chief Minister, the old guard including the likes of Azam Khan and Shivpal Yadav will take offence. This may lead to factionalism within the party. However, if the opposite happens, the younger generation will be miffed that Akhilesh did not get his due after relentless work and dedication.
A decision will be shared after Holi, most likely on March 10, said party sources today. The new chief minister will be sworn in most likely on Monday. Sources say Mulayam will use the next three days to win consensus, crucial for conveying that the party believes in democracy on internal matters.
"A majority of MLAs are in favour of making Akhilesh the next CM. At the meeting of legislators, they will put in their views on the issue," party national General Secretary Naresh Agarwal had said earlier. Sources say Mulayam will use the next three days to win consensus.
Mulayam himself had indicated many times during had indicated during elections that Akhilesh would be at the helm in Lucknow while he would focus on Delhi and the General Elections of 2014. However, now Akhilesh himself wants his father as the Chief Minister. The top question which everyone is asking is who will finally be UP’s next Chief Minister. No body has any clear answer.
Also Read: Mulayam, Akhilesh meet UP governor
Watch:
