Mulayam distancing from Amar Singh ahead of polls: Babbar

Lucknow, July 11 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav was distancing himself from his lieutenant Amar Singh ahead of assembly elections, suspended party Rajya Sabha member and Jan Morcha leader Raj Babbar claimed today.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Babbar -- without naming Mr Amar Singh -- said as a damage control exercise, the SP supremo was distancing himself from his close lieutenant. ''The person concerned is not seen with the CM these days.'' Earlier he (Amar Singh) used to accompany the CM everywhere,'' he said adding now the SP was resurrecting leaders who were once sidelined. ''It is in preprations of the coming assembly elections...but the damage ontrol would not help,'' he added.

On the possiblities of Rashtriya Lok Dal's Ajit Singh joining hands with Jan Morcha, he said several leaders supporting the state government were aware of the possible arm 'twisting tehniques' if they distanced themself from the coalition.

''Yes, we want RLD, CPM and Congress to join hands with us on various issues...but Congress believes that its leaders are bigger that any other political leader. We want partners who are attached to the grass-roots,'' the Jan Morcha leader added.

He also slammed the CM for reportedly filing an affidavit before the Supreme Court requesting it not to disclose the assets of his family members before the public.

UNI NAB SB PA ND1532