Five MLAs refuse to come in support of U P government

Lucknow, Mar 3 (UNI) Even after day long persuasion by the ruling Samajwadi Party, five rebel MLAs including two ministers, who had earlier announced rejoining the BSP, today refused to come to the aid of the Mulayam Singh Yadav government and reiterated their 'allegiance' to the Mayawati led party.

Rebel minister Jaiveer Singh along with three other MLAs- Dharampal Singh, Ramji Shukla and Surendra Vikram Singh- today told the mediapersons here they were still with the BSP and more MLAs would join them very soon.

However, another MLA Ram Krishan, who joined the group yesterday, was not present during the press meet, but his signed statement along with others, was released to media.

''A lot of confusion has been created about me returning to the SP, which is totally incorrect,'' Mr Jaiveer Singh said claiming that it was an effort to put psychological pressure on other MLAs, who were on the verge of joining the BSP.

He said legal opinion is being sought to lodge an FIR against a state minister for threatening the MLAs to return back to the ruling party.

The minister admitted that his visit to the residence of a state minister had evoked confusion which forced temporary stoppage of other MLAs going before the governor.''I was forced to meet the minister as some of my ministerial friends had persuaded me to do so,'' he clarified.

''The confusion has been cleared up and now again some MLAs are likely to go before the governor any time today,'' he further claimed.

Commenting on Samajwadi Party's attempt to disqualify the five MLAs who had gone before the governor, Mr Jaiveer Singh maintained that it was only said to prevent further loss to the ruling party.

A senior minister in the Mulayam Singh Yadav government claimed today that there was no threat to the government and talks were on with the five MLAs to amicably sort out the issue.

The five MLAs -- including two ministers Mr Surendra Vikram Singh and Mr Jaiveer Singh, Mr Dharam Pal Singh heading UP State Poultry and Livestock Corporation, Mr Ramji Shukla and Mr Ram Krishna, heading UP Development Systems Corporation (UPDESCO) -- had handed letter a to the Governor, announcing their resignation from the SP to rejoin the BSP.

These MLAs are among the 40 rebel BSP MLAs regarding whom the Allahabad High Court had given a verdict on February 28, while referring back the matter to the Assembly Speaker.

The CM, however, is yet to accept the resignation of the two ministers and the heads of state corporations.

UNI MB ARS RSC1320