The Hindu : National : 'Speculation on Mayawati baseless'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 30, 2004

National

National

'Speculation on Mayawati baseless'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 29. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has once again sought to quell speculations of the party chief, Mayawati, deciding to become a member of the Rajya Sabha. In a statement today, the party described as baseless reports appearing in a section of the media that Ms. Mayawati could become the Deputy Chairperson of the Upper House.

Ms. Mayawati had won in the recent Lok Sabha election from the Akbarpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh. During the short inaugural session of the 14th Lok Sabha, there were reports that she was being offered the post of the Deputy Chairperson in lieu of the tie-up between the BSP and the Congress at the national level.

Though both sides were quick to deny it, the reports gained credence in view of Najma Heptullah's decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party and seek re-election to the House on its ticket. The Congress had nominated her to the Rajya Sabha for four consecutive terms, but her relationship with the Sangh Parivar towards the end of her last term had not gone down well with the Congress leadership and it was evident that the party would not give her another term, leave alone back her candidature as the Deputy Chairperson.

After her decision to join the BJP, the Congress leadership is keen on keeping her out of the post and also ensuring that it goes to someone of its choice.

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