In a major setback for the 77-year-old Mulayam Singh Yadav, who founded the Samajwadi Party 25 years ago, today lost battle against his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav with the Election Commission has allotted the party symbol to his son.

Assigning the popular emblem to Akhilesh, the Election Commission said that the group led by Akhilesh Yadav is the Samajwadi Party and thus entitled to use the ‘Bicycle’ symbol. Earlier, expecting that the the symbol may be freezes, Mulayam said that he will accept whatever decision the Election Commission takes on the contentious poll symbol issue.

The EC decision would be a first success to the Akhilesh Yadav ahead of his moving swiftly to contest in the coming assembly election, having alliance with Congress and two more small parties, aiming at returning to power.

The three-member Election Commission, headed by Nasim Azidi said in its order that the group led by Akhilesh Yadav is the Samajwadi Party and is entitled to use its name and reserved symbol Bicycle.

The verdict comes a day ahead of the start of the filing of nominations in the seven-phased polls in the state beginning on February 11. Amid ongoing feud in the Samajwadi Party over the ‘cycle’ symbol for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly election, Mulayam Singh Yadav earlier in the day expressing impatience over adamant attitude of his son, indicated that he would to contest against his son in the elections.

He deplored that “I called Akhilesh thrice, but he came only for a minute and left before I could start my talks.” Mulayam reportedly told party workers. “My son is acting on the behest of Ramgopal Yadav. I am trying my best to save the party and cycle, and if he (Akhilesh) doesn’t listen, then I will fight against him,” Mulayam said.