Simmering SP Tensions Erupt, Mulayam Expels Son Akhilesh Yadav From Party

* Akhilesh opposes the candidates’ list issued by Mulayam, comes out with a rival list.

* Mulayam issues showcase notice to Akhilesh and Ram Gopal Yadav and later expels both from the party.

* Ram Gopal calls for emergency meeting of the party on January 1.

Ahead of crucial make or break elections, ruling Samajwadi Party appears inexorably hurtling towards a split in Uttar Pradesh. After father Mulayam and son Akhilesh came out with rival lists of candidates, Mulayam Singh Yadav shot off a showcause notice to his own Chief Minister and his relative and party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav. He immediately followed it up by expelling both for six years on charges of indiscipline.

In an act of defiance, Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav have called for a meeting of the party on January 1. The invitation for the meet was sent in the name of Ram Gopal Yadav, who is party's general secretary.

Making a counter move, Mulayam Singh had decided to hurriedly address the media to clarify on the situation.

Here is the whole story blow by blow:

• In a brief letter shot-off to Akhilesh, signed by Mulayam, the SP chief pointed out how despite an official list of party candidates being issued by him at a press conference on Wednesday, a "parallel list" was issued by the Chief Minister. Terming this act as indiscipline, Mulayam asked the 43-year-old Chief Minister to explain his conduct and has asked why no action should be taken against him. A separate show cause notice was also served on SP General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav, who has thrown his lot behind Akhilesh.
• Mulayam called for a meeting of the candidates announced by him to show that they are the real candidates of the party.
• Akhilesh came up with a list of 235 candidates. Interestingly, 187 of these names are in the Mulayam's list too. He called for a meeting on January 1. It remains to be seen as to how many of the persons who figure in both the rival lists attend his meeting.
• Akhilesh was not moved by Mulayam's last ditch attempt to pacify him. Mulayam included some supporters of Akhilesh in his list. But, Ram Gopal Yadav said there is little scope for a compromise.
• In another swift move, Mulayam expelled Akhilesh and Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years. Mulayam said Ram Gopal was finishing career of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav who "does not understand." He also said the emergency meeting called by Ram Gopal unconstitutional and nobody else than party chief can call such a meeting.