Originally, the Samajwadi Party was one of several parties that emerged when the Janata Dal (People's League) fragmented into several regional parties. The party was founded by Mulayam Singh Yadav in 1992. Created just months before the Babri Masjid demolition, the party is said to played a key role in preventing violence within the state following the event. The Samajwadi Party is now led by former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav after he was chosen the President by the National Convention held on 1 January 2017.