Mulayam Singh

LUCKNOW: The Congress on Sunday came under attack from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh and the Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati albeit on different counts.

While Mr. Mulayam Singh warned the Congress that it would pay heavily if his Government was dismissed, Ms. Mayawati threatened to launch an agitation against the Congress, the ruling party at the Centre, if it failed to dismiss the Samajwadi Party Government. Lauding Governor T.V. Rajeswar for fulfilling his constitutional duty, she said she would submit a memorandum to the Governor on Monday.

Mulayam's charge

Addressing a Lodhi-Rajput convention at Mahoba in the Bundelkhand region, Mr. Mulayam Singh said some "foreign powers" were behind the conspiracy to dismiss his Government. He slammed the Opposition parties for describing his Government as unconstitutional, and said the Supreme Court had never said this. Yet, some persons were creating confusion. The Governor's report reflected the opinion of Congress, BJP and BSP counsel.

The Chief Minister alleged that the Congress always plotted against leaders belonging to the Backward Classes and deprived sections. Can the President dismiss a Government which had been applauded by him for "exemplary work" in the fields of education and health, he asked.

Threatens stir

In Lucknow, Ms. Mayawati, on returning from an election tour of Uttarakhand, expressed anguish that the Congress was sitting over the Governor's report. She said if the Mulayam Singh Government was not dismissed the BSP would launch an agitation after the March 1 rally in Lucknow.

Mayawati

"Minority Government"

State Transport Minister Naresh Agarwal said the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre was a minority government and the President should reject the recommendation, if any, to impose President's rule in Uttar Pradesh.

Legal redress

Mr. Agarwal told reporters here that if the Government was dismissed the Samajwadi Party would parade its MLAs in Rashtrapati Bhavan and seek legal redress.

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