New Delhi, May 31: Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal today welcomed Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Srinagar statement on possibility of forging a grand alliance with SP and RLD in Uttar Pradesh saying it would have far reaching political consequences in the secular polity of the country. "We welcome Soniaji's statement. We express our thanks to her. Her decision on grand alliance with SP, RLD and other forces would have far reaching consequences in the secular polity of the country", SP leader Amar Singh said.
RLD president Ajit Singh, who quit the union cabinet and withdrew his 14-MLAs from the Mayawati government, while welcoming Gandhi's statement said "it has further raised our hopes about disloding Mayawati government".
Secular opposition parties-- congress, SP, RLD and others demanded dismissal of Mayawati government saying it was reduced to minority following withdrawal of support by 14-MLAs of RLD, whose letter of support was sought by the Governor before inviting Mayawati to form the BSP-BJP-RLD government.
Stating that they have also requested the governor not not to entertain chief minister's plea, if any, to dissolve the state assembly as she has lost majority in the house.

Asked whether 14-MLA RLD was intact, Ajit Singh, who today returned from Lucknow along with Samajwadi Party leaders, said it was now for the BJP and BSP to keep a watch on their flock as it were 22 BJP MLAs who openly revolted against the party leadership.
Bureau Report