Samajwadi Party State Chief Shivpal Yadav vacated his government house in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday, three days after he was sacked as a minister for the second time. Earlier in the day, he also replaced his ministerial nameplate outside 7, Kalidas Marg. His aide told IANS that the red beacon atop Yadav's vehicle was taken away and he surrendered his official vehicle to the state property division.

On Sunday, Akhilesh Yadav had sacked his uncle for the second time from the state Cabinet. Hours after the chief minister's move, Mulayam Singh Yadav had dismissed Rajya Sabha MP and his cousins Ramgopal Yadav, who supports Akhilesh, from the party for six years.

Although Yadav's step is being seen as another indication of the growing rift in the party, the state chief on Wednesday said that all is well within the party. “We are united and for now are preparing for the silver jubilee celebrations of the party on November 5 and thereafter for the state Assembly polls.” Uttar Pradesh polls will be held in 2017.

Earlier on Wednesday, the party expelled Minister of State for Forests Tej Narain Pandey alias Pawan Pandey for six years on charges of indiscipline. Pandey is known to be a close aide of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Rumours are rife that the infighting within the party in the run-up to Assembly elections has led to the chief minister’s supporters functioning independently from a separate office in Lucknow. The alleged family feud was triggered by party president Mulayam Singh Yadav appointing Shivpal, his brother, the state party chief. The move, which was reportedly implemented because of fears of an anti-incumbency vote, did not go down well with the chief minister, who then relieved his uncle of major portfolios in the Cabinet. Mulayam Singh Yadav had to intervene to bring the situation under control.