Samajwadi Party's battle for bicycle

Samajwadi Party is witnessing a bitter family feud with two warring factions - one led by patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and other by his son and UP chief minister Akhilesh - who was granted the disputed 'cycle' symbol by the Election Commission. (AFP photo)

The Election Commission decided to give Akhilesh Yadav the cycle symbol on January 16. EC also acknowledged Akhilesh as the party's national president. (AFP photo)

While the matter was under EC's deliberation, the SP headquarters wore a deserted look almost daily. Soon after the announcement though, Akhilesh's supporters came out cheering. (AFP photo)

Akhilesh had said that he would stick to his stand of holding the post of the party president, while assuring ministers and MLAs that they would get tickets. (AFP photo)

The rift had emerged after Mulayam vocally supported his brother Shivpal Yadav, while distancing himself from cousin Ram Gopal Yadav who is close to Akhilesh. It is believed Mulayam's closeness with Amar Singh was also 'disliked' by Akhilesh. (TOI photo)

After he was awarded the cycle symbol, Akhilesh tried to soften the blow for his father by tweeting: "The cycle will continue to move, it will keep going ahead"