NOTWITHSTANDING THE minimal impact that Samajwadi Party’s support may have on United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government’s fate and Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav’s assertions that prevailing situation did not warrant withdrawal of support, the blow-hot, blow-cold relationship and ongoing war of words between Samajwadi Party and Congress leaders would attain greater dimensions in the days to come.
A verbal duel has already been going on between the SP and the Congress for quite some time now. The phone-tapping controversy has only drawn battle lines clearer and if assertions being made from both the sides give any indication, the two parties have already reached a point of no return.
So why do the SP and the Congress continue to support governments led by each other in Uttar Pradesh and at the Centre? A close study of unfolding political developments would indicate that supporting each other’s government was only a ploy to keep secular forces in good humour. As by withdrawing support both by SP and Congress would have no impact on the fate of UPA and the Mulayam government respectively, the two parties are obviously waiting for an apt issue to make up their mind.
By stepping up attacks, the two parties obviously want to give a message to their respective cadres to get ready for the Vidhan Sabha polls due in early 2007. By managing victory for its candidates in the ZP president’s elections the SP has attempted to dispel the impression that the ground was fast slipping from under its feet.
{{/usCountry}}By stepping up attacks, the two parties obviously want to give a message to their respective cadres to get ready for the Vidhan Sabha polls due in early 2007. By managing victory for its candidates in the ZP president’s elections the SP has attempted to dispel the impression that the ground was fast slipping from under its feet.
{{/usCountry}}If observers are to be believed, coming days would be crucial for Mulayam Singh Yadav. The phone-tapping controversy and the PIL filed in Supreme Court demanding a probe into assets owned by him and his family members, may have only provided much needed arsenal to the Chief Minister’s adversaries.
By demanding that transcripts and CD’s of SP general secretary Amar Singh’s conversation be made public, the Congress has obviously tried to put an aggressive SP on the defensive. And indications that SP is considering withdrawal of support to the UPA Government may be considered its bid to keep up offensive.
Though the Samajwadi Party has been trying to garner support on the issue, the Chief Minister is feeling cornered on the PIL issue. While the CM continues to keep his cards close to his chest, all eyes are set on how he and his family members respond to the issue in the apex court.