UP Polls: Mulayam Singh Yadav vows to contest against son Akhilesh if he does not relent

New Delhi: Blaming son Akhilesh Yadav for the Samajwadi Party split, party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday said Uttar Pradesh chief minister didn't adhere to his advice and ignored issues of the Muslim in the state. "Akhilesh was against appointment of a Muslim DGP in Uttar Pradesh," Mulayam said during an interaction with supoorters at SP office. Escalating his attack on Akhilesh, Mulayam vowed to contest against him if UP CM does not fall in line. Mulayam said he had been striving for unity in the party and "if Akhilesh does not agree, I will also contest against him" in the assembly election. Mulayam told party members that he tried speaking to Akhilesh for rapprochement thrice but the latter did not respond properly. "I called Akhilesh three times. He came for a minute and left before I could start speaking. My son is acting on the behest of Ramgopal Yadav," SP founder said. He also blamed Akhilesh for removal of some senior leaders from the party at the behest of Rajya Sabha MP Ram Gopal Yadav. Uttar Pradesh will go for seven-phased election from Feb 11 for 403 seats. The Election Commission is expected to give its verdict on Monday on demand of the Samajwadi Party factions headed by Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav for the party symbol "cycle". The Akhilesh-led faction has been claiming ownership to the symbol, saying that it enjoyed the support of the majority of the party's members of Parliament and the legislators. (With input from agencies)