Fernandes is blackmailing Mulayam: Laloo

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Laloo Prasad Yadav today blamed Mulayam Singh Yadav for the continuing antagonism between Dalits and backward castes in UP. Not without reason: the SP leader has decided to contest all 40 seats in Bihar. ‘‘Mulayam is an agent of the BJP. His only reason to contest these seats is to divide the secular vote. He has always been indulging in chalaki and his secular credentials have always been suspect. He has put up a beedimaker against Vajpayee.’’

Laloo also said that Mulayam is being blackmailed because of certain compromises which the BJP and NDA convenor George Fernandes are using to pin him down. ‘‘There are certain files and these documents can never be destroyed,’’ he claimed. ‘‘I shall reveal the truth at an opportune time someday.’’

While he is unforgiving about Mulayam’s refusal to a pre-poll alliance with the front, he is charitable when it comes to the hostility of Mayawati towards a secular coalition. He said: ‘‘It is up to the Congress to work out a deal with her. The Congress must continue talks, convince her and work out an alliance with her.’’