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RLD withdraws support to BSP-BJP govt in UP
Lucknow, May 30: The 14-member RLD led by Ajit Singh today withdrew support to the BSP-BJP coalition government in Uttar Pradesh demanding immediate dismissal of the Mayawati ministry and triggering a move for an unprecedented opposition unity to provide a viable alternative.
Lucknow, May 30: The 14-member RLD led by Ajit Singh
today withdrew support to the BSP-BJP coalition government in Uttar Pradesh demanding immediate dismissal of the Mayawati ministry and triggering a move for an unprecedented opposition unity to provide a viable alternative.
Shortly after the decision was taken in an RLD meeting here, Ajit Singh accompanied by Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, Congress leader Nawal Kishore Sharma and others went to Raj Bhavan and submitted a letter to Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri withdrawing the support.
Ajit Singh later told reporters that the Governor had assured him to consider his demand.
As of now BSP-BJP combine has support of 211 members including nine Independents in a House with an effective strength of 401.
Singh claimed: "We have enough BJP legislators in touch with us and our strength is more than what we need."
The claim was, however, countered by BJP legislature party leader Lalji Tandon who said: "We have enough numbers under our belt.....There is no threat to the state government."
His party colleague and BJP spokesman H N Dixit claimed that senior BJP leaders were in touch with SP MLAs and there were many disgruntled members of that party keen to join the coalition.
This is for the first time that Samajwadi Party, Congress, RLD as also Rashtriya Kranti Dal of former chief minister Kalyan Singh have come together in a united bid to provide a viable alternative.
Soon after the RLD decision, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Kalyan Singh, Nawal Kishore Sharma (Congress) and Ajit Singh held a close-door meeting in the VVIP guest house to chalk out a combined opposition strategy to topple the Mayawati government.
SP general secretary Amar Singh, who was also present in the meeting, said they had given a final shape to their strategy but refused to divulge details.
Bureau Report
Ajit Singh later told reporters that the Governor had assured him to consider his demand.
As of now BSP-BJP combine has support of 211 members including nine Independents in a House with an effective strength of 401.
Singh claimed: "We have enough BJP legislators in touch with us and our strength is more than what we need."
The claim was, however, countered by BJP legislature party leader Lalji Tandon who said: "We have enough numbers under our belt.....There is no threat to the state government."
His party colleague and BJP spokesman H N Dixit claimed that senior BJP leaders were in touch with SP MLAs and there were many disgruntled members of that party keen to join the coalition.
This is for the first time that Samajwadi Party, Congress, RLD as also Rashtriya Kranti Dal of former chief minister Kalyan Singh have come together in a united bid to provide a viable alternative.
Soon after the RLD decision, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Kalyan Singh, Nawal Kishore Sharma (Congress) and Ajit Singh held a close-door meeting in the VVIP guest house to chalk out a combined opposition strategy to topple the Mayawati government.
SP general secretary Amar Singh, who was also present in the meeting, said they had given a final shape to their strategy but refused to divulge details.
Bureau Report