Maya hits long distance, RLD split

The resignation, coming as it does on the eve of a crucial Opposition meeting scheduled to be held on Sunday to decide the next course of action against the government, has been termed in the state’s political circles as ‘‘shock treatment’’ meted out by the Chief Minister in absentia to the Opposition. Though she is away on a five-nation tour and is expected back on June 11, Mayawati has been in regular touch with government officials here to keep abreast of the latest developments.

The latest development is also bound to leave Opposition leaders, especially RLD president Ajit Singh, in an embarrassing situation.

Ajit, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Rashtriya Kranti Party chief Kalyan Singh and Congress general secretary Nawal Kishore Sharma are expected to hold a joint meeting on Sunday to give a final shape to their campaign against the government.

Sources said that while the unified Opposition had been seriously thinking of parading legislators, who have extended support to the Opposition group, before President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the Chief Minister has managed to outsmart them by getting Rameshwar to resign.

Meanwhile, PTI quoted RLD MLA and former minister Tej Pal Singh, who has been camping along with 11 other MLAs at Srinagar, as saying that RLD MLAs are still united under Ajit Singh’s leadership. Speaking to PTI, the MLA rubbished Rameshwar’s claim that he enjoyed the support of all the party legislators.

‘‘We are united under the leadeship of Ajit Singh, who, in consultation with other parties, will chart the future course of action,’’ Tej Pal said.

Trying to look unruffled by the latest development, RKP leader Kalyan Singh said, ‘‘We have the numbers and the Mayawati government will have to go. We are holding discussions to plug every possible loophole in our plan to topple her government.’’