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Political Notes |
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UP Chief Minister scuttles move to pull down government
In a dramatic move to pre-empt any threat to the Samajwadi Party government, 21 MLAs from different political parties met Uttar Pradesh Governor T.V. Rajeshwar on Friday, Nov. 24, and pledged their support to Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav. The move is seen as a master stroke by the Chief Minister against any possible pull out or withdrawal of support by Ajit Singh’s Rashtriya Lok Dal which has 15 MLAs.
The 21 MLAs comprised 7 BJP legislators, 5 unattached Members who won the last election on the BJP ticket, two of the Bahujan Samaj Party, one of the Congress and six independents. The two BSP MLAs were recently expelled from the party by party chief Mayawati for indulging in anti-party activities.
The development comes close on the heels of RLD president Ajit Singh’s meeting with the Governor on Nov. 23. Though RLD sources said it was just a courtesy call, the Chief Minister wasted no time in strengthening his defences.
Five unattached members of the Assembly have been made chairpersons and vice-chairmen of state corporations with the status of Minister of State.
Though winning on the political front, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has not succeeded in his bid for having an early poll in the state in February. Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswamy who visited Lucknow last week, said that the cut off date for the polls is May 14, and the constitutional obligation is to hold the elections before that. Observers say that in all likelihood, the Assembly elections will be held in the state some time between the second week of April and early May belying the hope of the ruling Samajwadi Party of a February election.
Ahead of the Assembly elections and demands for polls under President’s Rule, Governor T.V. Rajeshwar and Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav have been sparring publicly over the law and order situation in the state. On Thursday, Nov. 23, the Governor ticked off the police top brass for failing to check rising crime and for what he called their partisan functioning during the civic polls. It drew a vehement reaction from the Chief Minister who said that he would give up electoral politics if it was proved that the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh was any worse than in the neighbouring states.
Meanwhile, Congress general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh Ashok Gehlot has said that his party cannot afford any further delay in appointing Rahul Gandhi as party general secretary. Speaking in New Delhi on Nov. 24, Gehlot said Rahul Gandhi has agreed to campaign in Uttar Pradesh and this is the right time for his induction as a party office bearer.
The BJP national council and executive committee will meet in Lucknow from December 22 to 24 to finalise the party’s strategy for the Uttar Pradesh Elections.
Lalu claims to be No. 1 Minister
Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav has said that he is Minister No. 1 in the Manmohan Singh Government. Speaking in Patna on Nov. 19, he said the Railways have projected an increase of 11 per cent in profits which he claimed was a miracle achieved through good planning and very hard work done by him and his team. He said the Railways Ministry was poised to cross another milestone with profits likely to touch the Rs. 20,000 crore mark this year.
Referring to the party’s defeat at the hands of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the last Assembly elections in Bihar, Lalu Yadav said, the RJD needs a complete revamp.
Bihar Chief Minister and former Railways Minister Nitish Kumar has bunked Lalu Prasad Yadav’s claim of putting the Railways back on the profit track. He said, “I am shocked to hear Lalu Prasad’s claim of turn around. In my last year as Railways Minister in the NDA Government, the Railways earned a profit of Rs. 6,000 crore.” Nitish Kumar said Lalu Yadav’s claim of a turn around in the Railways is a hoax perpetrated by a man who is a master media manipulator.
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