If the Samajwadi Party is still confused over what cost it the prestigious by-election in Firozabad, it need look no further than its own chief strategist.

Amar Singh says the blame lies entirely with party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.  Speaking to NDTV, Amar Singh said, " We lost because of our complacency...every decision in this party is taken by Mulayam Singh Yadav."

Amar Singh is also unsparing of Mulayam's son, Akhilesh, who had won the Lok Sabha election from here in March, but vacated the seat to represent Kannauj in Parliament.  Akhilesh's wife, Dimple, was the Samajwadi Party's candidate. She was routed by actor Raj Babbar, who won the seat for the Congress, leaving Mulayam red-faced on his own turf.

Privately, party sources say Amar Singh is upset because he feels he's been made the fall guy for his party's disastrous decision to ally with former UP chief minister Kalyan Singh.  The alliance cost the Samajwadi Party its Muslim voters, and the wounds are unlikely to heal now that Kalyan Singh has been indicted as the chief architect of the Babri Masjid's demolition by the Liberhan Commission. " I don't have a role , I think the party has refused to change its spectrum  and mode ... they are not trying to be progressive," complains Amar Singh.

But Mulayam and his son, Akhilesh, have been restrained in their reaction.  Akhilesh said Amar Singh continues to be his "chacha" (uncle), and Mulayam added, "We follow internal democracy in the party which is why everyone has a right to speak their mind."

Mulayam  Singh Yadav met Amar Singh on Monday in an attempt at peace, but political analysts are already asking whether Amar Singh's days in the party are now numbered.