Mulayam Singh returns to Lucknow from Delhi without meeting Election Commission

New Delhi: As the battle for control over the Samajwadi Party continued, Mulayam Singh Yadav on Thursday held discussions with his close confidante Amar Singh in New Delhi amid talks that they may approach the Election Commission with letters of support from over 50 per cent of the legislators and office bearers.

While Mulayam Singh’s close aides maintained he sought time from the Commission to put forth his stand, the poll panel firmly rejected that any appointment was sought.

Then in the evening, hours after coming to Delhi, Mulayam Singh left for Lucknow with his brother Shivpal without approaching the Commission.

Sources in the poll watchdog said they have not received any document from the SP founder.

“In fact, his side is yet to submit the letter removing Ram Gopal Yadav as National General Secretary,” an official claimed.

Seeking to retain the ‘Samajwadi Party’ name and its election symbol ‘cycle’, Mulayam Singh and Shivpal Yadav had rushed to the national capital on Thursday morning to furnish details of support he enjoys in the embattled party to the poll panel, while his chief minister son stayed put at his official residence in Lucknow collecting signed affidavits to back his claim of majority support.

Akhilesh Yadav, who has refused to back down so far despite meeting Mulayam Singh after being urged to do so by peace brokers like minister and SP’s Muslim face Azam Khan, was claimed to have secured signed affidavits of over 200 MLAs and MLCs, insiders said.