LUCKNOW.March12,2012: After handing over the mantle of Uttar Pradesh chief minister to son Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav can now look for a bigger role in national politics to forge a 'fourth front' comprising regional parties."Now that Akhilesh will be the chief minister, I will concenctrate on national politics," Mulayam said. Sources said Mulayam plans to bring together regional parties across India and form a unified front, which would be the first of its kind.Mulayam had decided to shift his focus to national politics around 2009 Lok Sabha elections leaving Akhilesh to lead the SP's protests. Akhilesh was arrested and spent days in jail on apprehension of breach of peace.In July 2011, Akhilesh released a list of party candidates for the 2012 polls. He grew in stature with his poll campaign on Mulayam's Kranti Rath last September. After the first two phases of assembly polls, people could see a promising, young leader in Akhilesh. With Akhilesh the CM-designate, Mulayam has his future cut out.Moments before Mulayam announced his full-time focus on national politics, SP's West Bengal general secretary Kironmoy Nanda went to his house. The visit was unexpected and unannounced.Party sources said Mulayam's foray into national politics will begin with revamping the party's Bengal unit and strike a rapport with CM Mamta Banerjee. Nanda was a minister in Bengal's Left government during Jyoti Basu and Buddhadeb Bhattacharya's tenure. The SP hopes for a positive reply from Mamata.
