Mulayam Singh Yadav axes 4 of Akhilesh’s loyalists from Lohia trust

Lucknow: A war of trusts has begun in the Samajwadi Party and the Yadav family. Mulayam Singh Yadav, who heads the Lohia trust, has replaced four Akhilesh loyalists from the 12-member governing body. Sources said that the move was being seen as a precursor to Shivpal Singh Yadav being given total control over the Lohia trust.

The four members who were removed from the trust board include Ram Govind Chaudhary, Ahmed Hasan, Usha Verma and Alok Shakya. All four were initially close to Mulayam Singh Yadav but later parted ways and joined the Akhilesh faction when the battle for control over the party began in January.

The Shivpal loyalists who have now been appointed as members of the board of the Lohia trust include Deepak Misra, Ram Naresh Yadav, Ram Sewak Yadav and Rajesh Yadav.

Deepak Misra was the SP spokesperson till he resigned from the post and remained with Shivpal Yadav after Akhilesh sacked him from the Cabinet, last year. The remaining three new members of the trust are known Mulayam supporters and have stood by Shivpal during the family feud within the Yadav clan. Interestingly, Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav, both of whom are also members in the governing body of the Lohia trust, did not attend the meeting on Tuesday.

Talking to this correspondent on Wednesday, Shivpal Yadav downplayed the absence of these leaders from the meeting. “They must have been busy but I am sure they will come for the next meeting which will be held soon. The information for this meeting was sent to them,” he said.

After these changes, the Mulayam faction now has complete control over the Lohia trust while the Akhilesh faction rules over the Janeshwar Misra trust that was set up a year ago.