Suspense on over RS dy chair

There's no end in sight to the suspense over the next Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson’s name. While the Congress is keen on pushing its ...

There’s no end in sight to the suspense over the next Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson’s name. While the Congress is keen on pushing its member, the BJP seems determined to block the move.

The BJP obviously looks at this as an opportunity to humble the Congress. Left to itself, the BJP would like the 13-member strong Samajwadi Party to put up its candidate. Once this happens, the Congress would find the going tough for its own nominee. BJP circles have even mooted the name of veteran SP leader Janeshwar Mishra for the post. A non-controversial figure, Mishra is widely respected.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and SP president Mulayam Singh Yadav refused to bite the BJP bait today. He told reporters that the SP had no plan ‘‘to field a candidate’’ for the post. But he did not commit himself any further. When asked which party he would back in the event of an election, Mulayam said: ‘‘We have not applied our mind to it.’’

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Mulayam obviously does not want to limit his options before others have shown their cards. Though relations between the Congress and the SP are far from being cordial, Mulayam sees little sense in adding to the tension, particularly when he is lobbying for a special package for UP on the lines of Bihar.

If Mulayam ultimately finds himself in a position to bargain, for the first time after the installation of the UPA Government, he may forgo the deputy chairperson’s post. What he may ask for in return is difficult to guess.

UP wants package too

NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh CM Mulayam Singh Yadav met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday and demanded a special package of Rs 18,230 crore for UP. Mulayam said after the 30-minute meeting he was confident the PM would give serious consideration to the demand and would ‘‘not neglect Uttar Pradesh’’. — (PTI)