Akhilesh Yadav supporter asks Mulayam Singh to step down

Lucknow:  A young MLC considered close to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has asked Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav to step down and let his son take his place.

Udayveer Singh, a first time MLC, wrote a "private letter" to Mulayam Singh but it has now found its way into the media.

Udayveer Singh told IANS on Thursday that he was merely airing his personal feelings but which he insisted echoed the views of most party colleagues.

Udayveer Singh has also accused Mulayam Singh`s second wife Sadhna of harbouring ill feeling towards her stepson Akhilesh.

He added that Shivpal Singh Yadav, the state party chief and a brother of Mulayam Singh, was jealous of the Chief Minister`s popularity.

Accusing Sadhna and Shivpal Yadav of collusion, Udayveer Singh alleged that the Chief Minister was being subject to black magic with a view to harm him. 

Demanding that the party revoke the expulsion of young party leaders, he said Akhilesh Yadav was the most credible face of the Samajwadi Party.

Reacting sharply to the letter, party leader Ashu Malik said people writing such letters were not "even worth 500 votes". 

He added that the party would not tolerate indiscipline. "Any attempt to humiliate Netaji (Mulayam Singh) will not be tolerated."