Shivpal Singh Yadav launches Uttar Pradesh's newest party 'Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party Lohia'

Shivpal Singh Yadav on Tuesday announced his new political party, Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party Lohia. This comes weeks after he launched the Samajwadi Secular Morcha. 

"Our new party has been registered (with the election commission). Its name is Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party Lohia," Shivpal Yadav said at an event in Lucknow to enrol members for the morcha.

Shivpal Yadav has formed the morcha following differences with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. He has said the morcha will contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

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He had alleged that he was neglected in the SP, which was founded by his elder brother Mulayam Singh Yadav, after Akhilesh Yadav took charge. Shivpal Yadav is still a SP legislator from Jaswant Nagar in Etawah district.

At the event, Shivpal Yadav said neither he nor Mulayam Singh Yadav got the due respect under Akhilesh Yadav.

“I was pushed out... I ask you all not to get involved in sycophancy. You will be free to point out if there is something wrong going on. I will allow this freedom in my party," he said.   

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According to reports, Shivpal Yadav may field candidates in Agra, Etawah, Mainpuri, Firozabad, Farrukhabad, Etah, Badayun, Kannauj and Aurraiya, which are part of his belt because of his family’s influence. The morcha has said it would also field a winnable candidate from Kannauj from where Akhilesh is likely to contest the Lok Sabha election.

(With PTI inputs)