The Samajwadi Party witnessed infighting in 2016 (File)
Signalling a rapprochement, Samajwadi Party national general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav and Shivpal Singh Yadav celebrated the former's birthday together in Etawah yesterday.
Both leaders were seen at a local hotel on the occasion of the 72nd birthday of Ram Gopal Yadav, embracing each other and exchanging greetings with partymen and workers.
Ram Gopal Yadav also had his cousin join him in cutting the birthday cake.
Later in his brief address after Ram Gopal Yadav left the venue, Shivpal Yadav said "there was never any revolt or rift either in the party or family.'
"There is an undeclared emergency like situation in the country...Corruption is at its prime...all the party leaders and workers need to stand with the people and help them in resolving their problems," Shivpal Yadav said.
The party had witnessed serious differences in the Yadav family in 2016 with the then party president Mulayam Singh Yadav taking sides with his younger brother Shivpal Yadav against son Akhilesh Yadav who was backed by Ram Gopal Yadav.
The infighting eventually resulted in Akhilesh Yadav taking over the reins of the party.