As it happened: Ram Gopal Yadav expelled from party; Meeting gets over at Mulayam's residence

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is likely to launch a separate party on Sunday. According to sources, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav's son Akhilesh will make the announcement before the party meet on October 24. Samajwadi Party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav has also been sacked from the party.

Today's actions stirred the political circles ahead of the Assembly polls in the state early next year as the tense stand-off between Akhilesh and Shivpal gave rise to intense speculation about a possible split in SP.

Some SP leaders even suggested that a new party named National Samajwadi Party or Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party with motorcycle as its symbol could be launched by the Chief Minister.

Live updates:

# Mulayam Singh gets emotional in the meeting

# Meeting gets over at Mulayam's residence

# Shivpal Yadav leaves after meeting the party's senior leaders

# Shivpal Yadav, Ambika Chaudhary, Narad Rai are attending the ongoing meeting at Mulayam's residence

# Reason of feud is still not known, I don't believe in any accusation made on Ram Gopal: Naresh Agarwal (SP) on Ram Gopal's suspension

# Meeting begins at Mulayam's residence

# Mulayam calls for a meeting at his residence with the senior party leaders

# I will always be with Akhilesh irrespective of whether I am in party or not: Ram Gopal Yadav

# I am not happy over personal attacks: Ram Gopal Yadav

# Read: Expelled leader Ram Gopal Yadav calls all allegation baseless

# I am not upset over expulsion from party: Ram Gopal Yadav

# UP CM Akhilesh Yadav must understand who is with him and who is not: Shivpal Yadav

# He has been conspiring against me, he has been involved with BJP to save his son: Shivpal Yadav, SP on Ram Gopal

# It's CM's prerogative, he did what he thought was correct; not right to question it: Suspended SP Min Sayeda Shadab Fatima

# Ram Gopal has always misused name of Netaji; had raised this issue at various party forums: Shivpal Yadav

# Ram Gopal's son and daughter-in-law involved in scams: Shivpal Yadav

# Ram Gopal has relations with corrupt people: Shivpal Yadav

# Ramgopal always plays tricks: Shivpal Yadav

# Ramgopal has been axed from all posts of the party.

# Ramgopal Yadav has been suspended from all posts and party for six years: Shivpal Yadav 

# Shivpal Yadav: Ramgopal yadav has always been colluding against party leadership

# Shivpal Yadav to address media again

# Party general secretary Ramgopal Yadav expelled from the party.

The series of events unfolded on Sunday morning when deepening the crisis in SP, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav sacked four pro-Amar Singh ministers including his uncle Shivpal Yadav, almost pushing the ruling party to the brink of a split. Akhilesh also gave clear orders to Chief Secy Anita Singh and DGP to not issue any orders without his prior signatures.

The trouble in SP hit a new low with the chief minister convening a meeting of party legislators here and recommending to Governor Ram Naik that Shivpal, Narad Rai and Om Prakash Singh (all Cabinet ministers) and Sayeda Shadab Fatima (MoS - Independent charge) be sacked from his ministry. A Raj Bhawan communique said the recommendation was accepted with immediate effect.

Following the extreme action against supporters of Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh, the Mulayam-camp followers got into a huddle at the residence of the SP supremo at a stone's throw distance from the CM's bungalow to decide the next course of action.

The fast-paced developments came a day ahead of a mega meeting of party MPs, MLAs, MLCs and ministers convened by Mulayam where some tough decisions are likely to be taken.

Reacting over the tough decisions made by his son Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav said, Akhilesh should stay within his boundaries, "I am still alive. If I can make him CM, I can remove him from the post as well," he said.

It is for the first time that Mulayam Singh Yadav invited his daughter-in-laws Aparna Yadav and Dimple Yadav for party meeting at his residence, however, if sources are to be believed Dimple Yadav, Akhilesh's wife did not attend the meeting.

Meanwhile, Mulayam refused to meet Ramgopal Yadav and Madan Chauhan at his residence.

Akhilesh also made a u-turn towards his patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav. Instead of splitting the party, as anticipated, Akhilesh Yadav emerged from his meeting with cabinet ministers as party loyalist, vowing to never break away.

Soon after making some tough decisions against his uncle and other Amar Singh camp ministers, Akhilesh made a few emotional statements for his father and Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

"Mulayam Singh is and will always be my leader. Will go for rath yatra, but will also attend silver jubilee celebrations. Action will be taken against those who are acting against party and netaji (Mulayam). Will gift express-way before netaji's birthday. I am heir to Samjwadi Party and I will make all important decision," said Akhilesh Yadav.

Earlier in the day, Samajwadi Party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav wrote a letter to his party workers, warning them against creating resistance for UP CM Akhilesh Yadav.

Coming out in strong support of Akhilesh Yadav, Ram Gopal said, "Any one protesting against Akhilesh will not set foot inside assembly, as victory follows Akhilesh." He also said that Akhilesh will defeat all those who dare to stand against him.

(With PTI inputs)