Mulayam Singh’s choice, which now forces Akhilesh to either play second fiddle or look for alternative options (hardly likely though), suggests that the veteran’s reading is that the elections this time will again be contested on old lines with identity, social polarisation and ultra-nationalism being the primary issues. In such a situation, getting into the battle with a suave Akhilesh as general may not be a good idea. You require people who do not shy, proverbially speaking, from getting ‘blood on their teeth, death on their mind’.

In the event of the SP managing to sneak in from behind and securing a surprise win, Akhilesh can always be resurrected. Till that time, Mulayam Singh will play along with Shivpal Yadav and Sadhna Gupta, leaving Akhilesh and Ram Gopal Yadav feeling stifled. The choices for this duo are limited and, in all probability, the two will sulk for a while before falling in line, hoping for the storm over them to clear and wait for a new day.

Akhilesh has one advantage – at 43, he has time on his side and compared to his half-brother, a greater interest in politics. Even if the SP loses this time, there will be another occasion for the chief minister. At that time, he may well be the supremo.