New hope for Maya foes

While Chief Minister Mayawati packed her bags to go on a three-nation tour tonight, the Opposition began efforts to send off her government ...

While Chief Minister Mayawati packed her bags to go on a three-nation tour tonight, the Opposition began efforts to send off her government packing as word spread that all five ministers belonging to the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) in her Cabinet have quit and the other RLD legislators have resigned.

The possibility of a split in the 14-member RLD legislature party is also not being ruled out. Although RLD chief Ajit Singh has collected the resignations from the ministers, he has not forwarded the resignations to the Chief Minister. Raj Bhawan sources said Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri has not yet received the letter of withdrawal of support.

Rebel MLA Samarpal Singh, who was suspended for his anti-party remarks, told reporters today that eight to 10 party MLAs were in touch with him and a split in the RLD legislature party was likely in a week or two. ‘‘We are keeping our options open and will support a government that pursues pro-farmer policies. Singh has destroyed the party’s pro-farmer image despite his heading the Ministry of Agriculture,’’ he said.

Story continues below this ad

Samajwadi Party, on its part, is playing safe this time. After making at least two abortive attempts to topple the Mayawati government earlier, it has announced it will not initiate any attempts to form an alternative government. ‘‘Our earlier claim to form the government still stands and there is no need for a fresh claim. The government was in minority since the first day it began to work on May 3 last and is still in minority,’’ Opposition leader Azam Khan said.

He, however, added his party was in favour of a special Assembly session to test the strength of the government. ‘‘But the Governor must send his observers for this session so that the government does not bungle up legislative procedures to save itself like it had done in March,’’ he said.

State Congress president Arun Kumar Singh Munna has also demanded a special session of the Assembly for a trial of strength. ‘‘But this time, it should be held in a proper manner and not like the one in March,’’ he said. In March, the Mayawati government had been declared majority after a controversial voice vote.

While Opposition leaders are trying to cash in on the present political upheaval, there are many in the RLD who feel withdrawal of support to the Mayawati government at this juncture will not do any damage. The SP also indicated it was in no mood to support an Ajit Singh-led government.