"Param swatantra" Ram Gopal says SP is nothing without Akhilesh

New Delhi [India], Oct. 25 (ANI): Urging his elder brother Mulayam Singh Yadav not to treat him like a bad and discarded penny, expelled Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav on Tuesday lashed out at his opponents and yet again sided with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav while stating that the party scaled new heights because of the latter's relentless efforts. Yadav said Akhilesh came to power with majority in 2012 because of public support, adding the Samajwadi Party could not achieve it during the last three elections. "Akhilesh did it in 2012 and if he would not have become a minister had the public not voted in his favour. The people made his win the elections and he took over as the Chief Minister because of them," Yadav said. "I will reiterate that the Samajwadi Party's present position is because of Akhilesh, minus Akhilesh then there is no Samajwadi Party. My only aim is how to make Akhilesh Yadav the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh yet again and I will do everything to ensure it," he added. Yadav advised his nephew, who has been facing stiff opposition in the party courtesy his bete noire Shivpal Yadav, to interact with the masses as he has a lot of public support, adding his rivals would automatically be sidelined then. "He (Akhilesh) is leaving from 3rd for his Uttar Pradesh tour and within one month, you will see the changes in Uttar Pradesh," he added. When asked whether he is still a Rajya Sabha member, Yadav said that he did not leave the party on his own wish, adding anti-defection law is imposed on those who leave the party on their own wish. "I am absolutely free (param swatantra) and have nobody on my head. Now, there is nobody to put restrictions on me. And I will do whatever will be my wish and speak without any suppression," he added. The expelled Samajwadi Party leader also reached out to Mulayam, saying he is still his brother. "But maybe, I was not his brother. I was a person, who used to write letters for him. And now he will appoint someone else to write letters for him," he added sarcastically. Responding to a poser on whether Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh is to be blamed for the ongoing feud within the party and family, Yadav said that this question must be asked to 'Netaji' and Shivpal. "You should ask this from Shivpal Singh and Netaji. They can only answer what is special about Amar Singh," he said. The rift in the Samajwadi Party escalated yesterday as Akhilesh and Shivpal failed to come on board despite Mulayam's emotional appeal. The Samajwadi Party boss backed Shivpal and Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh despite his son openly opposing them. During his address at the meeting attended by the Samajwadi Party leaders and workers, Mulayam accused Akhilesh of not giving Shivpal due recognition. He also blamed Akhilesh of not being able to take criticism while defending his close aide Amar Singh from allegations of causing rift within the party. Closed door meetings with party seniors and one on one meetings of Mulayam continued till late night yesterday but no truce emerged. (ANI)