Modi had to be loyal to Mohan Bhagwat to become PM, likewise Mulayam is the lifeblood in UP: Amar Singh

Calcutta: Amar Singh, the Samajwadi Party general secretary, took questions from The Telegraph in Calcutta a few hours after Mulayam Singh Yadav heaped praise on him amid chaos in Lucknow. Question: On a scale of one to 10, how would you rate Akhilesh Yadav as a chief minister and a mass leader? Amar Singh: Absolutely fantastic. Absolutely successful. It takes time to become a mass leader. He is still very young, he has got a long innings to play. But as a first-time administrator, his focus on development and his agenda for development is absolutely mind boggling and fantastic, no doubt about it. But a blending of yesterday and today, a blending of organisational strength and experience with youth and its ability, is very important. Like (Narendra) Modi has become the Prime Minister, but he would not have been able to without the RSS. What is he without the RSS support? If RSS was not behind him, he would not have become the candidate, to begin with. So, to become the Prime Ministerial candidate, he had to be loyal to Mohan Bhagwat. So, in the politics of Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam Singh is the lifeblood till now. Question:  The current crisis in the party, what will be its resolution? Singh: I will put another question to you in response to your question. What about Pinarayi (Vijayan) and V.S. Achuthanandan? What about the crisis between Pranab Mukherjee and P. Chidambaram? In a vibrant democracy, crisis is not a new thing. In any organisation, wherever power is there, position is there, politics is there. It's human nature. Question:  There have been allegations that the BJP has planted you, that this crisis has largely been precipitated by you... Singh: I will not answer that question. Because it is irrelevant, after the latest statement of our party president.... When he has issued a statement (Mulayam showered praise on Singh today), then this question becomes irrelevant. Therefore, I will not answer it. Before taking questions from The Telegraph, Singh faced several other googlies from the audience and Khaitan. (In response to a question from the host on Rahul Gandhi's remarks on Modi exploiting the sacrifices of soldiers) Singh: I have to say that Rahulji is one of the most misunderstood leaders in this country. He is trapped in this misrepresented image of him that has been created. I did not know him well, but we have become dear friends over the past couple of years. He is extremely knowledgeable and well read, ask him about anything - from the Cold War to the Hezbollah - and you will be amazed with his erudition. He is also wise, humble and willing to admit mistakes and learn, without the baggage of pride. On this remark, when I met him last week for dinner, I told him I did not think it was right of him to say that. The smallest fry would react negatively to that, but he asked me why I thought so. Then I told him that his intent was right, his heart was in the right place, but the way he had said it left scope for misinterpretation. (In response to a question from the host on his relationship with Mamata Banerjee and his support for her during the Singur agitation) Singh: The Left here started behaving like the right and she, from the right, started behaving - I should say living -the Left way. The simple life she leads and her struggle, her fight for things she believes in, among other things, have to be admired. I had stood by her during Singur though many others in Delhi had specifically asked me not to. But the relationship has changed, rather evolved. Recently, when I sought an appointment from her while in the city, I was told by somebody that she did not have the time.... Things change, I am not saying for better or for worse. Things change