Senior SP leader asks Akhilesh to act against 'sycophants'

Lucknow: Senior Samajwadi Party leader Beni Prasad Verma today asked Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to take action against those talking against his father and party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

He said Mulayam is "hurt" with the letters he is receiving from the "sycophants" and the current rift is "unfortunate" for the party and the state.

"Damage is being caused to SP due to the ongoing tussle. People of the state like SP and everything is not going fine. Akhilesh should take action against those talking against his father," Verma told reporters here.

He said he had spoken to Mulayam over the phone and he "sounded unhappy" with the recent developments.

"Mulayam is hurt with letters he is getting. It's unfortunate for the party and state. Sycophants are writing these letters," he said.

"I have never seen 'Netaji' (Mulayam) in such a pain. Those creating fissures in the party should be avoided. CM Akhilesh should act to save the party...Mulayam and Shivpal want to make him CM," the Rajya Sabha member said, adding that internal conflict is not good for the party.