There are differences but unity of mind as well in SP: Ram Gopal Yadav

National general secretary of Samajwadi Party (SP) Ram Gopal Yadav on Saturday admitted that there were "some differences" within the party but at the same time, there was "unity of mind".

"Matbhed to hai par manbhed nahi hai...kis party mein matbhed nahi hotey (there are differences but unity of mind as well. Which party does not have differences)," he told reporters.

Replying to a query, Yadav said the SP could go for an "understanding with like-minded parties" for some seats in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls if party president Mulayam Singh Yadav so decides. On the merger with mafia-turned-MLA Mukhtar Ansari's Quami Ekta Dal (QED), the SP leader pushed the ball into Mulayam's court saying only the party president knew if talks were on as nothing was final on this count as yet.

Yadav, who refused to comment on the recent outburst of senior SP leader Amar Singh, blamed the administration for alleged land-grabbing by party leaders, an issue which was raised by Uttar Pradesh minister and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav. It maybe recalled that recently, there were reports of differences between Akhilesh and Shivpal.

To a query, Yadav took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments on his "love for the Dalits" in a recent interview, saying people issued such statements during election times and they should not be taken seriously. "Thekedars of the society keep giving political colour to the problems of the Dalits but they (Dalits) are very mature," he added.