Bijnor (UP): National general secretary of the Samajwadi Party (SP) Amar Singh sought to play down the recent controversies within the party, saying Mulayam Singh Yadav could never go “against” Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav but every father had a right to “admonish” his son.

Replying to a query from reporters here, he said Mulayam had passed on the “fruit of his life’s struggle” to his son Akhilesh and he could never go “against” him.

Singh said every father had the right to “admonish” his son, adding that his statement should not be misinterpreted.

The senior leader refused to comment on the Quami Ekta Dal’s (QED) merger with the SP, saying it was a decision of the party high-command.