Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today and asked for a special economic package for his state.‘‘The state needs special assistance to reverse the economic decline that has set in, in the last few years. I have sought an economic package for the state from the Centre,’’ Mulayam said after the meeting.Though Mulayam called it ‘‘a courtesy call’’, his meeting with the Prime Minister comes at a time when there is widespread speculation that UP Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri may be replaced.Shastri’s term expires in December, but amid reports that all appointments made by the previous NDA government may be revised, it is being felt that the UP Governor may also be replaced. The state Congress has already demanded that all governors with an ‘‘RSS background’’ should go. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Ajit Singh, who was in Lucknow today, raised the problem issues of cane price dues and Harit Pradesh. While Mulayam stayed back in Delhi despite a meeting scheduled with Ajit Singh, the latter met party members on both issues and admitted that his agenda might embarrass the CM.Not only this, Ajit Singh even hinted at launching an agitation to protest against the government’s failure to announce the state advised price for sugarcane farmers, following the Supreme Court’s directives. He also called for formation of Harit Pradesh to address the problems. Mulayam has made it clear he does not agree and if the RLD continues to push its agenda, the coalition government will come under strain.
