Rebel BSP MLAs deny differences over support to Mulayam

New Delhi, Mar 25 (UNI) The group of 32 rebel BSP MLAs, now recognised as Bahujan Loktantrik Dal in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, today expressed its full support to the Mulayam Singh Yadav Government, denying any differences within the group over the issue.

Uttar Pradesh Minority Wefare and Haj Minister Haji Yaqoob Qureshi, a senior member of the newly recognised group, told reporters here that there was no question of any change in their stand on continuing support to the Samajwadi party-led Government.

He, however, said the group would hold its elections soon to elect a new leader replacing Mr Rajedndra Singh Rana, currently a cabinet Minister in the Mulayam Singh Yadav Government.

Replying to a question, he said the desire to elect a new leader did not indicate any differences within the group.

''On the contrary, Mr Rana himself wants to step down as leader,'' said Mr Qureshi, who has courted controversy by his call for killing the Danish cartoonist who caricatured Prophet Mohammad.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court had stayed all the proceedings pending before the UP Assembly Speaker, subsequent to the Allahabad High Court order of February 28, 2006 holding that the defection of some MLAs from the BSP to form a new group called Loktantrik Bahujan Dal was illegal.

It, however, permitted 32 MLAs of the breakaway group to exist as an independent group as per the September six, 2003 order of the Speaker to preserve their political status in the Assembly.

The court also allowed five MLAs of the breakaway group who have resigned from the ministry and the post of chairmen of various boards subsequent to the High Court order, to function as BSP MLAs. Referring the matter to a larger bench, it refused to fix the same for early hearing.

The Mulayam Singh government, which was formed in August, 2003, was largely surviving due to these rebel MLAs who had announced their defection from the BSP to join the ruling Samajwadi Party.

Their merger was, however, derecognised by the Allahabad High Court on Februaray 28, but it had allowed Speaker Kesrinath Tripathi to decide the question of their disqualification.

The Speaker in his ruling recognised the breakaway group as the Bahujan Loktantrik Dal.

UNI NAZ/SKS MSJ GC1532