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Mayawati hints at SP forming Government with BJP support

Special Correspondent

Claims the two parties had a pre-poll understanding in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW: Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati on Tuesday hinted at the possibility of a Bharatiya Janata Party - supported Samajwadi Party (SP) government in Uttar Pradesh after the Assembly elections. The BJP's gesture may be reciprocated by the SP at the Centre, she claimed. The Samajwadi Party and the BJP had entered into a tacit understanding and this was reflected in selection of candidates in some constituencies. Like the BJP, the Congress was also interested in retaining power at the Centre. The Congress-led UPA Government's refusal to dismiss the State Government after the Supreme Court verdict on MLAs' defection was aimed at this, she said.

Ms. Mayawati alleged that Chief Minister Mulayam Singh and SP general secretary Amar Singh were preparing to leave the country after the elections. Stating that only the BSP could dethrone the SP Government, she assured the voters that her government would free the State from "goonda raj" and strive for a "samta moolak samaj" (equitable society).

Addressing an election meeting at Rifah-i-Aam Club here, Ms. Mayawati alleged that crores of rupees, earned through bribes and commissions, were stacked in foreign banks during the SP rule.

Exhorting the people to vote for the BSP to end the "jungle raj," she accused the BJP, the Congress and the Rashtriya Lok Dal of foisting the SP Government. Since the formation of the present Government, the State had become synonymous with lawlessness, poverty, unemployment and incidents such as the Nithari serial killings, the madrasa rape case and the Kavita Rani case. Ms. Mayawati assured the people that a BSP government would address all problems. She held the Congress responsible for the situation in the State, as it was in power in the State and at the Centre for 40 years.

BSP national general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra cautioned the party's Brahmin supporters against the designs of other parties to split the Brahmin vote. Mr. Mishra said unlike other parties, the BSP had restored the pride and prestige of Brahmins.

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