Lucknow: Mulayam Singh's associate of many years, Beni Verma at times narrates an interesting anecdote about Netaji's style of politics. Few would know that BSP leader Kanshi Ram won his first Lok Sabha elections from Mulayam's stronghold Etawah.
Beni Babu recalls how Mulayam helped the BSP founder win the poll in his own bastion to only to strike an alliance and return to power after the Janata Dal split.
In dealing with the challenge posed by his son Akhilesh, the wily pehelwan of Sefai has been forced to explore possibilities not only within but outside the party.
There are reports that Mulayam has spoken to his fiercest of adversaries Ajit Singh of Rashtriya Lok Dal.
Ch. Charan Singh's son has been in political wilderness for a while now. His son Jayant is seen to be Ajit Singh's heir apparent can be a natural force multiplier for Akhilesh.
So Mulayam's attempt to reach out to Ajit is either a pre-emptive strike to limit Akhilesh's options if the son eventually breaks away, or he's aware that something is cooking up which he doesn't know.
And then we have the Congress which after six weeks of yatra is still to find resonance in the political landscape of UP. Rahul and Akhilesh have already been quite appreciative of each other.
Does Mulayam read a realignment among the young turks of SP, RLD and Congress.
Rahul, Jayant and Akhilesh, the three together would be high on optics. It also would also be a serious challenge to patriarch's assiduously built minority vote bank.
Mulayam senses the danger and even in this fight against his own son, has decided to act. And act fast.
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