No differences with Amar Singh: Mulayam

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday sought to downplay the resignation of his close associate Amar Singh from key posts of the party, saying there were no differences with him.

"He has resigned only from the post of general secretary and not from the party," Yadav told PTI while reacting to Singh's announcement that he had quit all the party posts -- general secretary, spokesperson and member of party's parliamentary board.

Yadav denied that there were any differences between him and Amar Singh. "There is no such thing. I spoke to him only a couple of days back," he said when asked whether any differences had resulted in the step taken by the 53-year old leader, who was considered his 'right-hand man'.

Asked whether he would persuade Amar Singh to take back his resignation, Yadav said, "We don't share such a relationship."

Singh's decision came amid speculation that he had differences with Yadav after Firozabad Lok Sabha by-poll debacle. Amar Singh had criticised Yadav and his family, saying they were over confident, which had led to the defeat.

When pointed out that Amar Singh had cited health as the reason behind quitting the key posts, the SP chief said, "It is true that he is not well."