Akhilesh Yadav meets Governor Ram Naik, triggering speculation

Akhilesh Yadav with Governor Ram Naik. Pic/PTI

Lucknow: As the war in the ruling Samajwadi Party continued, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav yesterday triggered speculation in the political circles by suddenly meeting Governor Ram Naik, hours after one more leader considered close to him was expelled from the party.

While the meeting between Akhilesh and Naik was officially described as a courtesy call, sources in Raj Bhawan said the prevailing political situation in the state did figure during the 15-minute interaction.

"It was a courtesy call. The Chief Minister called on the Governor to wish him ahead of Diwali as Naik will be out of station during the festival," an official spokesman said.

Akhilesh abruptly left a meeting he was holding to finalise details of his proposed ‘rath yatra' from November 3, which led to spread of the word in the political circles that the call on could have been in the context of prevailing political situation in the state.

Sources said the Governor had asked the CM to apprise him of the latest political situation in the state considering the deep divisions in the ruling party.

Minister expelled
Earlier in the day, Shivpal Yadav, who is the state SP chief, expelled minister Tejnarain Pandey alias Pawan Pandey, who is considered close to Akhilesh Yadav, for six years for "indiscipline."