Mulayam backs Shivpal, gives green signal to merger with QED: Sources

LUCKNOW: Quami Ekta Dal (QED), having two MLAs, is likely to merged again with ruling Samajwadi Party ahead of Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh due next year, sources said. Earlier, in June SP had called off its merger with gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's party just three days after it announced the decision drawing all-round flak. According to sources, Party supremo Mulayam Singh has given permission to his brother and Cabinet Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav, to facilitate the merger. In an indication that all is not well within the party, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday came out in support of his brother and Cabinet Minister Shivpal Yadav, saying if he left SP, it will get divided into factions. His remarks came a day after Shivpal threatened to resign alleging rampant corruption in the Uttar Pradesh government headed by Mulayam's son Akhilesh Yadav. Assembly polls in UP are due next year. QED has two MLAs–Mukhtar Ansari from Mau Sadar and Sigbatullaha Ansari from Mohammadabad Yusufpur seat. Afzal, Mukthar and Sigbatullaha are brothers. QED also claimed that it has hold over Muslim vote bank in the state. (With PTI inputs)