The Hindu : Front Page : Mulayam questions Mayawati's remarks

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Sunday, Dec 17, 2006
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Mulayam questions Mayawati's remarks

Gargi Parsai

Expelled BSP MP says it "insulted" all Muslims

Mulayam Singh Yadav

MEERUT: In a pre-poll attempt to whip up anti-Mayawati sentiment, Samajwadi Party president and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav on Saturday questioned the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader's reported remarks on Muslim fundamentalism during the local body elections last month.

"Who is she to suggest that Muslims are fundamentalists when they have a glorious history of sacrificing for the country? For just a few misguided elements you cannot blame the entire community," he said, even though Ms. Mayawati had later clarified her remarks.

Mr. Yadav's frontal attack on Ms. Mayawati came at a public meeting where the sitting BSP member of Parliament, Mohammad Shahid Akhlaque, joined the Samajwadi Party along with 11 BSP corporators. The public meeting had clear overtones of an election rally where Mr. Yadav announced doles for several schemes.

Mr. Akhlaque, who had been expelled from the BSP for "anti-party" activities a few weeks ago, spewed venom against his former party president. He said through her remarks, Ms. Mayawati had "insulted" all Muslims. "We will oppose her all over U.P. and not rest till she is defeated and Mr. Yadav forms the government in the State."

"New antics"

At the same time, he charged the Congress Party with indulging in "new antics" and urged the Muslims to align with the Samajwadi Party in the Assembly elections.

Welcoming Mr. Akhlaque, a visibly pleased Mr. Yadav said the move was "significant" and would prove to be a "turning point" in the political scene in western Uttar Pradesh.

He asserted that the Samajwadi Party would return to power with two-thirds majority.

Alleging that the Central Government had imported "inferior wheat" at a higher price that was being given to domestic farmers, he said that for this rabi multinational companies had already tied up with farmers to buy wheat at Rs. 950 a quintal whereas the Centre has offered only a minimum support price of Rs. 750 a quintal.

To hike allowance

Announcing that his Government would hike the unemployment allowance to Rs. 1,000 from Rs.500 if his party was returned to power, he said the Central Government should not grudge the money he had disbursed to girl students and unemployed youth because it was "people's money".

Referring to his rival parties, he said whether it was the Bhartiya Janata Party, the BSP or the Congress, they only wanted "Mulayam Singh Yadav's removal." "I should not become a Prime Ministerial candidate - that's what is bothering them. They should realise that the PM's and CM's post can never be permanent."

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