Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has demanded initiation of a privilege motion against Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar for allegedly misleading the House by saying that the state has not asked for a relief package for drought-hit Bundelkhand region. "The statement of Union Agriculture Minister was unnecessary and misleading. It is not expected from a minister to mislead the country as well as the Lok Sabha by lying and action of breach of privilege of the house should be initiated against him", Mayawati said in a statement late Tuesday night. Alleging that the Union Government was indulging in politics on the Bundelkhand crisis, she said the state government has written three letters to the Centre seeking financial help for the drought-hit region. Giving details about the letters, she said the first letter was sent to the UPA government on December 6, 2007 by the then Revenue Minister of the state, followed by another letter by the state Relief Commissioner on March 12, 2008. The third letter dated January 13, 2008, was written by her asking financial help for the drought-hit Bundelkhand region, she added. Claiming that Pawar was misleading the house, Mayawati pointed out that in response to the first letter by the Revenue Minister, a committee headed by Dr J S Samra, CEO National Rainfed Area authority was formed which had toured the drought-hit region. The state government has sought Rs 7,016 crore as relief package for the Bundelkhand region.
