Three months have passed since the Samajwadi Party suffered a heavy defeat in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls but the relationship between party President Akhilesh Yadav and his father Mulayam Singh Yadav still remain strained. Akhilesh hosted a Iftar party on Monday in Lucknow but neither his father Mulayam, nor his uncle Shivpal Yadav attended the party. Even Azam Khan, the most prominent Muslim face of the Samajwadi Party didn’t attend the celebrations.
None of this, however, seemed to affect Akhilesh Yadav’s popularity. As soon as the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister arrived at the party, people lined up to get a glimpse of him and even take a selfie. Party leaders claim that as many as 20,000 people attended the feast.
It was a big and a successful function. Muslims still support Samajwadi Party and loved Akhilesh Yadav. This love and affection will continue. Hindus and Muslims together will create an India of dreams. Hate doesn’t last long, whether it’s propagated by govt or by politicians.Ahmed Hasan, Leader, SP
Producer: Abhinav Bhatt and Anubhav Mishra
Video Editor: Mohd Irshad Alam and Purnendu Pritam
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)