Amar Singh is Back Centre Stage; So is Trouble

Amar Singh is back centre stage. And, as often, seen as the cause of trouble as well.

In the latest episode in the crisis in the Samajwadi Party, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav made it clear to his father Mulayam Singh Yadav that anyone associated with Amar Singh cannot be a part of SP. Sources say Akhilesh and his supporters even believe that Amar Singh is acting at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

What once party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav saw as Amar Singh's USP, his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav sees as a liability.

Amar Singh's USP and bargaining pitch has been his close relations with leaders across party lines and his great equation with corporates and filmstars . This is also believed to be the main sorepoint with Akhilesh.

For many, Amar Singh belongs to the dark underbelly of the murky world of politics. In Delhi's power circuit, they see him as a 'wheeler dealer', a reference to his strong connections and clout.

From Bollywood to businessmen to journalists, he is on good terms with most. It is said that those who are in his good books have nothing to fear as he is "yaaron ke yaar". But rub him the wrong way, then hell breaks lose, which some like the Bachchans have learnt the hard way.

Ironically, today as Samajwadi Party is riven by the feud in the Yadav family, it's Amar Singh who is once again the newsmaker, being called an outsider and being blamed for the rift in the party. Many cannot understand why Mulayam decided to bring back Amar Singh to the party, despite his son's strong dislike for him.

It was Amar Singh who once gave an image makeover to Netaji. From being seen as head of a UP-based party with national ambitions but having no contacts, it was Amar Singh who introduced Mulayam to the glitter of Lutyens' Delhi.

Amar Singh also added the glam factor to the Samjawadi Party. Mulayam began to be seen in Bollywood and in the company of big businessmen and film stars. Singh's good equation with netas across political parties did help Mulayam play an important role.

There is a particularly unkind line against Singh said by those against him: "He is a panauti. Anyone who comes close to him messes up their personal life ."

Those watching the Yadav family drama unfold in UP would recall these words.