New Delhi, June 04: Congress today accused the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh of "misusing" the state machinery to "pressurise" Independent MLAs to support the coalition which, it said, had lost majority following withdrawal of support by Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal. "The BSP-BJP government through allurements and pressure tactics is trying to secure majority. The Mayawati government is misusing the state machinery," party spokesman Anand Sharma told reporters here.

Questioning the joint statement (released by the chief minister's office in Lucknow) of nine Independent MLAs reaffirming support to the Mayawati government, he alleged the legislators included some "criminals".

"How can they come out with such a statement when Madan Bhaiya is absconding and Mukhtar Ansari is in Tihar jail here," Sharma said.

"It raised serious question that a government which was to arrest these criminals is now endorsing their meeting. Where is the court order for their meeting. Did they meet in Lucknow or Tihar jail," he said.

Assailing the BJP, Sharma said the coalition partner was now "washing its hands" from the development.

Newly-appointed UPCC president Jagdambika Pal Singh told reporters separately that consultations were on among secular parties to finalise their strategy to bring down the Mayawati government.

Bureau Report