Balram Yadav

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad's son Tej Pratap Yadav on Thursday dismissed speculations that he has distanced himself from the party due to "family strife" and because he was "overshadowed" by younger brother Tejashwi, alleging attempts were being made to drive a wage between "Krishna and Balram".

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday allocated portfolios to newly-inducted ministers with Balram Yadav being again given the charge of Secondary Education department on his comeback.

With Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav putting his foot down, Samajwadi Party today called off its merger with gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's party just three days after it announced the decision drawing all-round flak.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and BSP chief Mayawati are arch political rivals - they are known not to refer to each other by name. For once though, months before the crucial assembly elections in the state, they find themselves on the same side of the political fence, battling tensions within their parties.

Hours after the merger of Samajwadi Party and jailed legislator Mukhtar Ansari's Quami Ekta Dal, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav removed a senior minister - Balram Yadav - who is believed to have negotiated the merger. The merger was said to the brainchild of Shivpal Yadav, a senior leader of the Samajwadi Party and the Chief Minister's uncle.

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad's son Tej Pratap Yadav on Thursday dismissed speculations that he has distanced himself from the party due to "family strife" and because he was "overshadowed" by younger brother Tejashwi, alleging attempts were being made to drive a wage between "Krishna and Balram".

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday allocated portfolios to newly-inducted ministers with Balram Yadav being again given the charge of Secondary Education department on his comeback.

With Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav putting his foot down, Samajwadi Party today called off its merger with gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's party just three days after it announced the decision drawing all-round flak.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and BSP chief Mayawati are arch political rivals - they are known not to refer to each other by name. For once though, months before the crucial assembly elections in the state, they find themselves on the same side of the political fence, battling tensions within their parties.

Hours after the merger of Samajwadi Party and jailed legislator Mukhtar Ansari's Quami Ekta Dal, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav removed a senior minister - Balram Yadav - who is believed to have negotiated the merger. The merger was said to the brainchild of Shivpal Yadav, a senior leader of the Samajwadi Party and the Chief Minister's uncle.