VP challenges Mulayam on home turf

Lucknow, May 29 (UNI) Former Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh's proposed rally in the Uttar Pradesh capital tomorrow to highlight the cause of Dalits and farmers is widely being perceived as a challenge to Samajwadi Party supremo and Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav on his home turf.

By holding a rally to evince the support of OBCs, farmers and Dalits, Mr Singh is seen to be sniping on the traditional vote bank of the SP.

''With this, he wants to resurrect Jan Morcha (JM) ahead of assembly elections in UP next year,'' said a senior Congress leader monitoring the development.

The Congress leader claimed by inviting arch rivals union ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mr Singh was also trying to boost his image after a low profile for the past few years.

''The Railway Minister is a known Mulayam basher...his speech can certainly stir a hornets' nest in Lucknow,'' opined a BSP leader.

He claimed the most important aspect of the rally was that leaders from across the board were attending it despite being organised by a political outfit.

Senior Left Front leaders, union ministers Ram Vilas Psawan, Lalu Prasad, former UP minister Ashok Yadav are the main participants.

Suspended SP MP and JM leader Raj Babbar had been organising two-wheeler rallies to garner public support for the crucial rally.

''By involving Babbar, V P Singh has also indirectly invited SP's disgruntled elements to join him,'' claimed the Congress leader.

But, the CM had recently sounded caution to the various leaders planning to attend the rally. ''They are assembling for the leader suspended by the SP...but the people will reject them,'' he had told a gathering last week.

UNI NAB VS PK PC1505