Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Saturday announced that he was not in the race for the prime minister’s post and was hoping to strike a pre-poll alliance with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh.
This is despite the fact that the SP has finalised names of its candidates for 74 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state.
“Talks are continuing over seat-sharing. In case both parties fail to reach an agreement, it would not have any adverse impact on the post-election relationship with the Congress,” he said at a press conference.
Reacting to the formation of the Third Front and BSP chief Mayawati’s prime ministerial claims, he said: “I had a bitter experience with the BSP after forming a government with its support in 1993. The leaders of the Third Front will learn a lesson from their folly too.”
Taking dig at Mayawati for her prime ministerial ambitions, he said: “Jab maharani aa gayi hai to ab aur kaun ayega (when the queen is in the fray, who else will stake the claim).”
On the notice served to him by the Election Commission for violating the model code of conduct by distributing money during Holi in Etawah district on Wednesday, he said: “Distribution of money among drum players and singers during Holi is an age-old practice and my supporters have not violated the model code of conduct.”
{{/usCountry}}On the notice served to him by the Election Commission for violating the model code of conduct by distributing money during Holi in Etawah district on Wednesday, he said: “Distribution of money among drum players and singers during Holi is an age-old practice and my supporters have not violated the model code of conduct.”
{{/usCountry}}“This time when I came to know that EC had issued notice to me over distribution of money by my supporters during Holi, I had immediately shot off my reply,” he said.