Mulayam blames Vajpayee for Lucknow mess

‘‘In fear of such conspiracy, the RLD MLAs are staying outside the state,’’ he said. Addressing a joint meeting of the MPS, MLAs, district presidents and frontals, Mulayam called upon the party workers and common people to launch a ‘mass agitation’ to protest against the misrule of the Central and state governments.

‘‘We have no option but to launch such agitation against the undeclared emergency in the state,’’ he said. Reiterating that his recent political efforts should not be seen as a move to gain power in the state, Mulayam said his priority would be to save the state and country from the ‘‘corrupt government’’ rather than coming to power.

Saying that the NDA Government at the Centre is responsible for the corrupt practices of the Mayawati government, he said the coalition government in the state is ‘‘dancing to the tunes of the Centre’’ and ‘‘Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee is a key player in hampering the democracy in the country.’’

He also alleged that the BJP is trying to rake up the Ayodhya issue now only to divert the people’s attention from their misrule and the problems being faced by the people.

The former UP chief minister alleged that when people in the state are frustrated with poverty and unemployment, some leaders are ‘‘depositing huge amount of money in foreign banks.’’ Without taking any names, Mulayam said: ‘‘In the name of carrying out foreign tours for various official reasons, some politicians are depositing the money they have earned through corrupt practises in off-shore banks.’’

He said the SP’s priority is to rid the state of the current ‘‘corrupt and inefficient government.’’

‘‘The downfall of the Mayawati government is imminent following which, the Opposition would smoothly bring an alternative government in the state,’’ he claimed.

Mulayam further said the Chiraigaon bypolls were postponed last month as the ruling coalition wants to ensure a victory through muscle and money power. He appreciated the EC’s decision to postpone the bypolls. He said that the EC had emerged as the ‘‘protector of democratic principles.’’

On Madhumita Shukla murder case, he said the government was trying all out to save two BSP leaders, including one Cabinet ranked minister.