Policitians termed as mafias: Mulayam smells conspiracy

Lucknow, May 12 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav today alleged a conspiracy to malign the image of politicians by terming them as criminals and mafias.

After tabling the first supplementary budget for 2006-07 in the state assembly, Mr Yadav said it was unfortunate that politicians were being termed as criminals.

''I have several cases against me for different reasons including fake ones lodged during the Emergency period, but can I be termed as criminal,'' he questioned.

Calling upon the politicians to protest such conspiracy, the CM said if something was not done, the image of political figures before the people would be farnished.

Commenting on the allegation against him for amassing huge property, the SP chief said if an investigation was done, ''we will know that those who have charged me have acquired greater property than us.'' Mr Yadav also stressed he had never acted on a political vendetta.

Earlier the CM, who also holds charge of finance, tabled the first supplementary budget to the tune of Rs 1629.51 crore.

Among the financial demands sought, Rs 400 crore is for payment of unemployed allowances to the graduate and post-graduate youth of UP and Rs 300 crore for giving power subsidy to weavers to run their power looms.

UNI MB VS VD PC1840