Lucknow, October 17: Following the Supreme Court's directive, Samajwadi Secular Morcha (SSM) founder Shivpal Singh Yadav on Wednesday shifted to the bungalow vacated by BSP supremo Mayawati, which is a sprawling property at Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg. Reports inform that the former cabinet minister shifted at the property on the auspicious occasion of Ashtami. According to reports, Shivpal said after shifting, it will be convenient for him to meet his supporters and will be able to fight against political parties which are anti-people. “After having ‘puja and hawan’, Shivpalji has formally entered the bungalow today on the occasion of Durga Ashtami,” Yadav was quoted by PTI.

The SSM leader had said that he felt neglected in the SP after Akhilesh Yadav took charge of the party. It must be noted that Yadav has not quit the SP even after forming the morcha, which he says will contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.  Is Shivpal Yadav BJP's Weapon Against Akhilesh Yadav-Mayawati Combine?

On May 7, Mayawati had vacated the bungalow after the Supreme Court struck down an amendment to the Uttar Pradesh Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. The act allowed former chief ministers to retain their government accommodation when their term ended.

Soon after the order of the top court, former CM's including Mayawati, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav, Narain Dutt Tiwari, and Rajnath Singh had to vacate their bungalows in the state capital. According to a PTI report, a close confidant of the MLA said he might run the Samajwadi Secular Morcha from the bungalow now allotted to him. UP Minister OP Rajbhar Targets His Own Govt Again, Says Official Bungalow to Shivpal Yadav Proves He is Under BJP's 'Protection'. 

Yadav had applied for a government bungalow, and the one at 6, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg was allotted to him following all rules and regulations. "I am a five-time legislator and it has been allotted to me as a senior member of the state assembly," he said.

On the allocation of the bungalow to Yadav by the Yogi Adityanath government in the state, the Congress suggested favouritism citing that Yadav was working for the ruling BJP. Yadav, however, ruled out any tie-up with the BJP.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 17, 2018 04:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).