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Uttar Pradesh : Mulayam begins damage-control to save his government |
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To avert a Goa like situation, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has started insulating his Government. Faced with accusations of administration inaction in the BSP MLA murder case, he has got his party MP Atiq Ahmed named in the murder to surrender. The Samajwadi Party chief has also convened a meeting of his party MPs and advised them to be cautious in case of any criminal antecedents. Atiq Ahmed’s alleged involvement in the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal has come as a major embarrassment for the Chief Minister.
The murder intensified the Opposition demand for President’s Rule as the intervention of the State Governor T.V. Rajeshwar became significant. The Governor had directed the Yadav Government to take action against the culprits responsible for the murder. In an effort to refurbish the party’s image, Mulayam Singh Yadav has asked all party MPs and MLAs to propagate the development works of the Government and distance themselves from anti-social elements.
Mulayam Singh Yadav’s troubles have increased as even the BJP, which was earlier soft towards his Government, is now demanding imposition of President’s Rule in the state. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has condemned the Mulayam Singh Government for the deteriorating law and order situation in the State. He has decided to take part in a sit-in demonstration being organised by the BJP at Lucknow on February 22. BJP’s transformation into a combative opposition in UP comes at a time when BSP and Congress have been asking for imposition of President’s Rule in the State. Yadav has a comfortable majority at present in the state assembly, but the situation may change if the courts disqualify 40 MLAs, formerly belonging to the BSP, supporting him. In that case, his Government would be in a minority in the Assembly and the situation may lead to imposition of President’s Rule.
Observers say that BJP’s sudden shifting into opposition gear indicates that it, like the Congress, is bracing for the eventuality where early polls may have to be held. In fact, Vajpayee told his audience at Farrukhabad that “if the state Government does not mend its ways, the people should go ahead with all their might to bring about a change of Government.”
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