Mulayam downplays squabble between top SP leaders

Downplaying differences between his party colleagues Amar Singh and Azam Khan, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday said he would speak to both the leaders and resolve matters amicably.

"Ours is a big party and such things keep happening in a big family. Both Azam Khan and Amar Singh are senior Samajwadi leaders," he told reporters while campaigning in Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh.

"I have not been able to devote time to this (to solve the issue) ... the day I will get time I will speak to both the leaders and things will be resolved amicably. This (feud) will not have any bearing on the elections," he said.

Yadav's comments came a day after party general secretary Amar Singh threatened to quit the party. When queried about which leader he would like to retain in the party, Yadav said, "I would like to keep both of them. Both are working for the party".