As you might know by now, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has sacked uncle and party chief Shivpal Yadav and three others from the state cabinet. In response, Rajya Sabha MP Ram Gopal Yadav was expelled from the party on the grounds that he was conspiring with the BJP. In case you're tuning in late, here are the major players in this epic family drama that comes at the worst time for the Samajwadi Party that is already facing a tough election in Uttar Pradesh next year. Akhilesh Yadav He became chief minister of Uttar Pradesh after being credited with the party's victory in the 2012 state elections. But as elections have drawn close, Akhilesh has sought to enforce his authority in the party, only to spark a bitter family feud. Why he matters: Akhilesh is not just the chief minister but is also the party's connect with the youth. He prides himself on his connection with the rank and file of the party and the youth. So what has Akhilesh done to drive his uncle and father against him? =>He openly opposed the alliance with gangster Mukhtar Ansari-led part Quami Ekta Dal that led to it being broken intially =>He took away the public works department ministry from uncle Shivpal Yadav's on September 13. Even after he was brought back he didn't give his uncle the portfolio back immediately. =>He has criticised 'outsiders' for messing up things in the party. The 'outsider' barb was reportedly targeted at Amar Singh =>He was said to be planning his own 'Vikas Rath Yatra' in the state and would skip the party's silver jubilee celebrations => He sacked Shivpal Yadav from the cabinet again on October 23

Mulayam Singh Yadav

The head of the Samajwadi Party hasn't exactly been charitable to his son throughout his tenure as chief minister, criticising the working of the state government multiple times during its tenure.


Why he matters: The party patriarch was not in the best of health earlier but is fit and fine now. Has long standing ties with other political parties that can be leveraged to try stay in power.


But with the party imploding just before the election what is the party patriarch doing?


=>The Samajwadi Party chief is said to be trying to stitch an alliance with the Congress and Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal to try hold on to power

=>He has been trying to achieve a balance between the warring factions of Akhilesh Yadav and Shivpal Yadav


=>He is defending the inclusion of Amar Singh in the party despite criticism from his son and cousin. Amar Singh's famed fund raising abilities might be crucial ahead of a tough poll and the party chief doesn't seem inclined to losing that advantage.

Ram Gopal Yadav

The cousin of Mulayam Singh Yadav has been the voice of the party but seems to be paying the price for his proximity to Akhilesh Yadav. Despite not having a mass support base, he has been the voice of the party in the Rajya Sabha but now finds himself out of the party for the next six years.


Why he matters: No voter base but has been the party's voice in the Rajya Sabha. Is also said to wield a disproportionate amount of influence in Uttar Pradesh's areas bordering Delhi.


So what did he do to anger the party top brass?


=>He has constantly stood by Akhilesh through various issues.


=>He has been a rival of Amar Singh for years and has backed Akhilesh against him


=>He also reportedly made Amar Singh sit on the back benches of the Rajya Sabha and didn't let him speak, something that the national general secretary of the party didn't take kindly too