On the last day of Parliament, former Uttar Chief Minister and veteran Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav endorsed PM Modi for a second term. In Lok Sabha, he said, “PM ko badhaai dena chahta hun ki PM ne sabko saath lekar chalne ki koshish ki hai. Main kehna chahta hun ki saare sadaysa phir se jeet kar aayen, aur aap (PM) dobara pradhan mantri banein (We want him (Narendra Modi) to become Prime Minister once again. He has done good work and nobody can raise a finger against him.)
Samajwadi Party's Mulayam Singh Yadav in Lok Sabha: PM ko badhaai dena chahta hun ki PM ne sabko saath lekar chalne ki koshish ki hai. Main kehna chahta hun ki saare sadaysa phir se jeet kar aayen, aur aap (PM) dobara pradhan mantri banein (File pic) pic.twitter.com/reeyh5H9bB
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2019
After making the aforementioned statement, Mulayam Singh Yadav folded his hands to which PM Modi responded with a smile on his face and folded his hands in gratitude.
#MulayamForModi | 'Modi took all along', says Mulayam Singh springing a big political surprise in the Lok Sabha, adding that he hopes Narendra Modi comes back as PM. What's your view on this? https://t.co/LGCyJUWcLF pic.twitter.com/z2m8fDWmfk
— Republic (@republic) February 13, 2019
Mulayam Singh was standing next to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. This was the last session of the Parliament before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections due in April/May.
I wish @narendramodi becomes @PMOIndia again says Mulayam Singh Yadav, his hands folded. The Prime minister smiles, his hands folded too. Mulayam goes on to say he hopes all the current MPs win. On the last day of the 16th Lok Sabha. Lots of laughter in Lok Sabha. On @IndiaToday
— GAURAV C SAWANT (@gauravcsawant) February 13, 2019
The words of Mulayam Singh Yadav have come at a time when his son Akhilesh along with SP’s longtime rival Mayawati has entered into an alliance to challenge the might of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. Akhilesh Yadav has been a strong critic of PM Modi’s policies and also participated in mega-opposition rallies against the BJP and PM Modi. But on the other Mulayam Singh has never launched any direct attack against PM Modi and the BJP.
Akhilesh Yadav also participated in the opposition rally organized by TMC in Kolkata recently. Even right now also, the whole of the Opposition has gathered in New Delhi to carry out a protest against the Modi-led central government. Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party is also the part of this gathering. Akhilesh’s main motive is to remove the Modi-led NDA government from power. Now, Mulayam Singh Yadav’s statement is no less than a huge setback to the so-called Mahagathbandhan.
It is important to note that all has not been well within the Yadav family ever since feud broke out within the SP in the run-up to 2017 Uttar Pradesh state assembly elections. Akhilesh Yadav’s uncle Shivpal Yadav broke away from the SP and formed his own Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia). He is not happy with the SP-BSP alliance. In an interview to ANI, PSPL chief Yadav termed the SP and the BSP alliance as ‘Thugbandhan’ (alliance among thugs). He said, “This alliance is a ‘Thugbandhan’ and is for money. It is possible that money must have been taken before forging the alliance.”
The Game is On, and the OPPOSITION shall enjoy it dearly!