Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Even as it reached a temporary truce with the SP on the issue of the resignation of Union minister Beni Prasad Verma,the Congress is all set to turn the heat on the SP regime in Uttar Pradesh with senior Congress leaders scheduled to hold demonstrations and sit-ins across the state Saturday to protest the worsening law and order situation in the state.
What would further irk the SP is the fact that Verma has been allowed by the Congress leadership to address the partys protest meeting in Lucknow,along with other leaders like Nirmal Khatri and Jitin Prasada. It is the first time since Akhilesh Yadav came to power that the Congress would be hitting the ground against the SP regime.
Early this week,the SP had demanded Vermas sacking for his alleged remarks linking SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav to terrorists and allegedly stating that he takes commission to support the UPA. Although the SPs support became crucial for the stability of the government following DMKs pullout,the Congress leadership refused to yield to the SPs demand for Vermas sacking.
After Congress chief Sonia Gandhis intervention and Vermas regret,the SP leadership toned down its offensive posturing.
Congresss decision to ignore Mulayams threats and target SP regime hinges on its assessment that he is not prepared to pull down the UPA government at this stage and needs time to deliver on his partys promises in UP. Besides,the Congress believes that given the reluctance of most parties to face the electorate over a year ahead of the schedule,he would be wiser than Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee who had fancied a chance to topple the UPA government only to end up getting isolated.
