SP reassures PM, but en bloc support doubtful

Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh on Friday again reassured Manmohan Singh about the ‘en bloc’ support of all 39 party MPs in the government’s July 22 trust vote, but worrying signs that the Samajwadi Party flock is straying refuse to disappear.

Besides three MPs who have announced their resolve to defy the party whip Munawwar Hasan, Jai Prakash Rawat and Rajnarayan Budhonia six others are being seen as “doubtful”. The BSP is also believed to be in touch with other members.

The MPs include Ateeq Ahmed (Phulpur), Afzal Ansari (Ghazipur), S.P. Baghel (Jalesar), SC Gupta (Banda), Radhey Shyam Kori (Ghatampur) and Kirti Vardhan Singh (Gonda).

Of these, Ahmed (in jail) is unlikely to put in a bail petition as he is more inclined to abstain from voting, party sources indicated.

The sources said Ahmed’s attitude is governed by the fear that his troubles with the Mayawati government would increase if he makes an effort to present himself in Parliament on July 22.

SP general secretary Amar Singh had told the PM that he would try to muster the support of other political parties as well.

The SP’s crisis managers have succeeded in roping in National Loktantrik Party member Baleshwar Yadav. Rebel SP member Beni Prasad Verma, now associated with the Congress, claims he is negotiating with four BJP MPs and two MPs from the BSP.