Lucknow, Aug 25: After recommending dissolution of the Assembly, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today announced severing of her party's ties with the BJP. On their part, BJP has already handed over a letter to the Governor withdrawing support from Mayawati-led government. BJP legislature party leader Lalji Tandon met Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri and gave a letter withdrawing BJP's support to the 16-month old government.
Shortly after, Mayawati too met the Governor and recommended the dissolution of the Assembly. Addressing a huge convention of the party workers here at the sprawling Ambedkar Maidan, Mayawati said that she had elaborated the reasons behind severing of her party's ties with the BJP in a letter written to the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today.
Mayawati also rejected reports of her resignation. She clarified that she had only recommended the dissolution of the House.
BJP president Venkaiah Naidu has convened an emergency meeting of BJP parliamentary board tomorrow to discuss political developments in UP.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party has said that it is exploring all options to form the next government and is in touch with like-minded parties.
The ball is now in the Governor’s court. He can either accept the CM’s recommendation and dissolve the Assembly or clamp President’s rule and keep the House in suspended animation. He can also choose to neither of these and call the next largest party to form the government.
As of now in the 402 member Assembly, Samajwadi Party has 142 MLAs, BJP has 86 MLAs, BSP 111, Congress has 16, Rashtriya Lok Dal 14 and Rashtriya Kranti Party 4. Besides there are 29 others.

Bureau Report