Akhilesh wins party symbol; is this the end of Mulayam’s career?

At the end of his career, though, Mulayam has lost the one element that helped him stand out- absolute superiority. It seems that Election Commission’s decision marks the beginning of the end of his political life.

By: Raza Naqvi |
January 17, 2017 12:55 pm

After dramatic twists and turns and an open family feud, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav today got the Samajwadi Party symbol, the cycle, and the party name.

The Election Commission today gave an interim order in which it said that Akhilesh retains the most support within the SP, hence he is entitled to the symbol.

According to reports, EC’s legal experts looked into precedents and judgments before issuing the order.

The Akhilesh-led faction had claimed ownership to the symbol, saying that it enjoyed the support of the majority of the party’s members of Parliament and the legislators. The EC, after hearing both the sides on Friday, had reserved its verdict on the issue.

With young UP CM winning the party symbol, it seems that Mulayam has lost the battle completely. Though nobody has seen the future, it wouldn’t be shocking if we don’t see Netaji in the political scenario forever.

Mulayam pushed into retirement by son?

When the cracks within Yadav family became public, it was evident that the divisions were deep enough to cause permanent fractures within Samajwadi Party. But few would had predicted that Akhilesh, would snatch powers from his father in such a ruthless manner.

In UP, none would have believed that Netaji’s stature would be reduced in such a manner. After winning the party symbol Akhilesh has shown that Mulayam is no longer the quintessential element for the party.

Making Akhilesh the CM was a mistake?

Mulayam enjoyed the support of the Yadavs and Muslims at the grass-root level. However as time passed there was a generational transformation and as aspirations grew, the electorate wanted not just the identity and security.

Akhilesh decided to fill in this gap. In 2012, Mulayam thought that while he would retain real power, the son could play a role of dummy CM.

But there is nothing called a dummy CM since power creates its own dynamics. Akhilesh realised that while caste was an essential tool of mobilisation, development, and a clean image was essential to remain in power for a longer time.

With the fact that his son was becoming more popular than him, Mulayam regretted that he did not become CM himself in 2012. But now it is too late, people and leaders are already in support of Akhilesh and now the party reigns are in his hands as well.

Is this the beginning of the end of his political life?

One of north India’s most remarkable political figures, Mulayam’s political stature has been reduced.

Although Mulayam fought hard against his son, indicating that he would not go down without a fight, he failed to tame his son Akhilesh.

At the end of his career, though, Mulayam has lost the one element that helped him stand out- absolute authority. It seems that Election Commission’s decision marks the beginning of the end of his political life.