Check inflation or I pull the rug: Maya

Perturbed by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi8217;s frequent visits to Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has advised him to rise above party politics and instead help the state Government meet its demand for a special package of Rs 80,000 crore.

In an ultimatum to the Centre, Mayawati said: 8220;If the Congress-led UPA Government failed to check price rise and did not pay any heed to the state Government8217;s demand for a Rs 80,000-crore package in the next two-three months, the BSP would shoot letters to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and President Pratibha Patil without any warning, confirming its withdrawal of support.8221; Mayawati, who has 17 members in the Lok Sabha, had on January 7 warned the Centre that her party would withdraw support if the special package for Bundelkhand was not sanctioned soon.

Addressing a press conference here, Mayawati called Rahul8217;s recent visit to homes of tribals and Dalits, a 8220;drama8221;.

She said 8220;the Congress8217; yuvraj had forgotten that inflation was the burning issue which had put future of both the Congress and its coalition Government at stake.8221;

Mayawati said Rahul should rather help the UPA Government check inflation.