Lucknow, July 29: In what turned out to be a damp squib of high drama, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati withdrew the demand for Jagmohan`s resignation from the cabinet. She also assured of BSP`s continued support to the NDA government at the Centre. Addressing a press conference here, Mayawati said she was withdrawing the demand following an assurance from Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and deputy prime minister L K Advani that they would look into her complaint about the controversial Taj heritage corridor project.

She further clarified that this episode would have no impact on the BSP-BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. She infact described the coalition as strong.

She even declared that BJP and BSP would fight general elections in 2004 jointly.

Mayawati said that differences crop up among partners and tempers do get frayed, but that is only momentary.

Mayawati also regretted the disruption of Lok Sabha proceedings. She said that she had not asked her MPs to create pandemonium but only present their views forcefully.
Meanwhile, BJP is yet to go public with its version of events. Party sources said that there was a lot of anger within the party over the day`s developments and that they would take a final decision at a party meeting tomorrow.

Bureau Report