Lucknow, Nov 15 (IANS): In a surprise move, the Samajwadi Party has named its estranged leader Shivpal Singh Yadav as a star campaigner for the Mainpuri Lok Sabha by-elections.
This is the first time since relations between party chief Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle Shivpal Yadav became strained, that Shivpal Yadav has been named as star campaigner.
In the Lakhimpur Kheri by-election held earlier this month, his name was missing from the list of star campaigners.
The list also includes names of other family members who are in active politics.
Apparently, Akhilesh Yadav wants to leave no stone unturned to ensure the success of his wife Dimple Yadav in the upcoming by-elections, necessitated by the demise of his father and party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav.