Jet-Sahara deal: Mulayam defends Sahara

Lucknow, June 26: Days after the Rs 2,300 crore Jet-Sahara deal collapsed, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav today came out openly in support of Sahara alleging Congress of targetting the business group.

The Chief Minister did not mince words saying Sahara was being targeted for its proximity to the Samajwadi Party and its ''well-defined'' participation in the development of Uttar Pradesh.

''The deal, the most fancied deal in the civil aviation history, fell through as there was indirect pressure from the central government in some way or the another,'' Mr Yadav said speaking at a function to honour MISA and DIR detenues here.

Without naming Jet Airways, he went on to allege the private airline was selling off parts of Sahara aircraft, which were in the possession of the former.

''I know the other airline (Jet) wants to usurp Rs 500 crore, which is part of the escrow account and belongs to Sahara,'' Mr Singh claimed.

Lucknow district court has already frozen the escrow account till June 30, the next date of hearing in the case.

Lucknow-based Sahara group chairman Subroto Roy is close to Mr Yadav. He is also a member of the Amar Singh-led Uttar Pradesh Development Council (UPDC).

UNI