Generals at war leave SP cadres rudderless

MEERUT: The focus may be on Mulayam Singh, Akhilesh, Ram Gopal and Shivpal, but Samajwadi Party workers are a distraught and confused lot, caught between their regard for Mulayam and affection for Akhilesh. Also, many don't know which MLAs to campaign for as a bunch of Akhilesh loyalists have been shown the door.
Kuldeep Ujjwal, SP candidate from Baghpat, said, "At a time when the entire focus should be on developing a foolproof strategy to retain power in UP, the ongoing feud could prove to be very costly and the election will be reduced to a direct fight between BJP and BSP." Most of the leaders and party workers are of the opinion that Akhilesh Yadav should be given the reins of the party and the young blood permitted to steer the state, while the old guard continues to guide them.However, fearing retribution from the highest level of the party, workers feel silence is the best strategy at this time.
Despondency, however, within the party cadre is quite evident in the fact that it is disillusioned and in a fix. "The battle is about to begin and we do not even know who to support as candidates keep changing. I hope Netaji weaves some magic and brings everything to normal, otherwise we are doomed," said a Bulandshahr-based party worker. When TOI tried to contact Sunita Chauhan, an SP candidate whose ticket was cancelled recently from Khurja in Bulandshahr, she refused to be quoted on the issue. Office bearers of the party at grassroots level have pinned their hopes on Mulayam now and are downplaying the Monday showdown.