BJP lets Maya off with a reminder

Stating that the party will not withdraw support to the government, he said: ‘‘We would like it to complete its full term.’’ Party spokesperson Sunil Shastri echoed this view and dismissed reports of tension between the two parties as just ‘‘baseless speculation’’. He said, ‘‘There is no demand for withdrawal of support to the BSP-led government in Uttar Pradesh. the government will complete its full term.’’

However, sources disclosed that this was only public posturing and the BJP high command has come under intense pressure from the party rank and file to either force Mayawati to change her style of functioning or pull out of the government.

When asked to cite any example of violation of coalition ‘‘principles’’ by the BSP leader, Khandelwal thundered: ‘‘How could she order a large-scale transfer of officials in Lucknow, the Prime Minister’s constituency, without taking the BJP into confidence?’’

He said he did not agree with the contention that the chief minister has a right to transfer Class I officers in his or her state. He argued, ‘‘In practical politics, there is a difference between the privileges of a coalition chief minister and a single-party chief minister.’’