NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Exuding confidence that there was no threat to her government, Chief Minister Mayawati on Saturday termed the political crisis in Uttar Pradesh as an 'internal affair' of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
"The dissidence is not directed against me," the Bahujan Samaj Party told mediapersons in Lucknow on the eve of her coalition government, which includes the BJP, completing six months in power.
"There is nothing alarming as such dissatisfaction is common to every political party," she said in a bid to make the crisis appear like a routine matter.
She rubbished Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's claim about enjoying the support of 204 MLAs in the 403-member state assembly.
"Why does he not furnish their names with a confirmation from the MLAs?" she asked.
She declined to convene a special session of the state assembly as demanded by the BJP dissidents and some independent MLAs.
"What is the need when not a single legislator, who had earlier voted for my government on the floor of the house, has withdrawn his support?" she asked.
"I had submitted a list of 211 members when I staked claim to form the government. However, when I sought a vote of confidence the number rose to 217, which is also the number of MLAs who voted for the government during the recent budget session too," she pointed out.
In the ruling coalition, the BSP has 99, the BJP 88 and Rashtriya Lok Dal 14 MLAs. It is supported by smaller political groups and 14 independents.
In view of this, even after the withdrawal of support by some independents, Governor Vishnukant Shastri had placed the coalition's tally at 210, still well above the simple majority of 202.
Mayawati also denied she has some sort of secret understanding the Congress whose president Sonia Gandhi has been lukewarm to the Samajwadi Party's repeated appeals for support in toppling the UP government.
"But I can see a lot of sense and maturity in Congress president Sonia Gandhi's actions," she said. "Obviously, she is now familiar with Mulayam's wily traits. After all, some time back he had refused to extend support when she was trying to form an alternative government at the Centre."
"If you look at his track record, Mulayam has ditched everyone whose support he had sought. Even I was fooled by his much touted claim to build a new force of backwards and dalits," she said.
"But realisation dawned when he started inciting dissent in our party," she said.
"Mulayam is now so desperate to grab power that he is using a few disgruntled BJP legislators to topple the BSP-BJP govt," she said.
"I am confident that (this time) even with all his money power, Mulayam would be unable to buy a single legislator," she said.
She also spelt out a long list of her government's achievements over the past six months.
EARLIER REPORTS SP stakes claim to form government SP's request for help in UP will be discussed: Congress Suspended BJP MLA sets conditions for talks Sonia gives 'patient hearing' to Mulayam and co Eight independents withdraw support to Mayawati govt Sonia-Mulayam meeting on Sunday evening SP, Congress MLAs willing to support us: BJP Amar Singh holds talks with Congress leaders No need to convene assembly: UP Governor Fifteen BSP legislators willing to revolt: Mulayam Rebel BJP legislators not interested in meeting PM The Election in UP: The Complete Coverage
More reports from Uttar Pradesh
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
