The war of nerves in Uttar Pradesh continues unabated and the Samajwadi Party is equally confident of proving its majority despite the withdrawal of its once closest ally, Ajit Singh and the RLD, and now the Congress. If the battle cry from Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav’s rivals is to impose President’s rule in the state, the SP is equally determined to foil the Opposition’s camp.SP sources say they enjoy the support of at least 225 MLAs, thus safely crossing the halfway mark of 202 MLAs in a House of 403 members. They include the SP’s own 152 MLAs, 37 breakaway BSP MLAs who brought Yadav to power, 25 MLAs from the BSP and BJP which Yadav had paraded in front of the Governor in 2006, 14 Independents led by Raja Bhaiyya, the CPI(M)’s one MLA, which comes to a total of 229 MLAs. The SP is buoyant it already has at least six disgruntled RLD MLAs.Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav is expected to bring in the confidence vote on January 25, and prorogue the House immediately thereafter, say sources. “The government cannot risk dissolving the House as the Governor can recommend President’s rule on any pretext. Hence, it would be better to prorogue the House and remain caretaker government.’’The SP is not concerned about the anti-defection law either if more MLAs defect to Yadav’s side to give him an even bigger majority. “By the time the anti-defection law is applied and the Speaker brings in a decision, elections would have been called or even over,’’ says a source.The government is not perturbed by the impending Supreme Court judgment on the fate of the 37 breakaway BSP MlAs, which has been reserved for the moment. “First, the apex court has not given any relief or decision on whether the formation of Yadav’s government with the breakaway group is legal or not.In other words, their dismissal will not automatically make Yadav’s government null and void. Two, the apex court has also not said which way the breakaway group should vote. They can still vote for us. The idea is to ensure that the government wins the confidence vote,’’ says a party source.“It will then be impossible for UPA allies like the CPI(M) and DMK to support a decision like President’s rule in these circumstances.’’ For the record, CPI(M) general-secretary Prakash Karat has pledged his MLAs’ support to the SP.
