Mulayam targets Sonia again

Firing his first salvo at the Congress after becoming Chief Minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav today doubted the secular credentials of the party...

Firing his first salvo at the Congress after becoming Chief Minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav today doubted the secular credentials of the party.

8216;8216;It is difficult to identify who really believes in secularism. The Congress, too, was secular till Rajiv Gandhi was its leader,8217;8217; Mulayam told a news agency, adding that his party would decide on supporting a government led by it only after the Lok Sabha results are out.

His remarks pointed to the increasing gulf between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, as the new CM has realised that the national party is more interested in joining hands with the BSP.

The reaction from the Congress camp was expected. 8216;8216;The Congress does not require a certificate on its secular credentials from a leader like Mulayam Singh Yadav. It was the Congress which opened doors for formation of his government. But now, he is raising doubts on the secular approach of the same party,8217;8217; said Congress spokesperson Akhilesh Pratap Singh.

The Congress leadership, at the national level, has been maintaining a safe distance from Mulayam, despite being the first to extend favour for the formation of his government. The BSP, on the other hand, is trying to renew its ties with the Congress after its fallout with the BJP.

8216;8216;I have worked out a strategy to wipe out the BJP from four states where elections are scheduled later this year. I will unfold my strategy at the time of nomination of candidates where the BSP will contest elections,8217;8217; Mayawati had said recently, hinting at her party moving closer to the Congress.

The UP Congress has also read between the lines in the approach of its national leadership. This explains its decision to oppose some decisions of the Mulayam Government, despite being a partner in the ruling coalition.

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8216;8216;The Congress was not taken into confidence before the Cabinet decided to lease out 24 government-owned sugar mills for 30 years,8217;8217; state Congress chief Jagdambika Pal had remarked a few days ago.

The party also protested when Mulayam declared Amar Mani Tripathi as 8216;8216;saviour of Uttar Pradesh8217;8217;, despite the fact that he was in CBI custody. 8216;8216;The SP had hit the roads when Mayawati was shielding Amar Mani but now the same party is with him and its general secretary Shiv Pal Yadav has even gone to meet Tripathi in Lucknow jail,8217;8217; said Akhilesh.