Mayawati predicts mid-term polls

Bhopal, July 19 (UNI) BSP president Mayawati today claimed that the Centre's failure to restrain surging prices has resulted in rumblings within the UPA Government and the Lok Sabha might see mid-term elections any time.

''There is a widespread discontent among the allies of the UPA government due to the Centre's failure to check price rise,'' Ms Mayawati told reporters here today.

She said the BSP, which was supporting the Centre from outside, was also worried over the impact of price rise. Under such circumstances, a mid-term poll was not unlikely.

However, Ms Mayawati parried questions regarding when the BSP was withdrawing support from the Congress.

She denied that she had raised the matter in view of upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

The BSP leader said although the legislation regarding 27 per cent reservation for OBCs was passed in higher educational institutes, the situation regarding its implementation was not clear.

She termed the reservation policy as a ploy by the Congress and she has revealed about it in a book.

On whether people from all class were getting representation in the party in the wake of the BSP changing its ideology, she said it was the media which had linked attacking phrases such as 'Tilak Tarazu' with the BSP.

She claimed that her party had always been in favour of equitable society. This was clear from the fact all sections got proper representation in her cabinet when she was the Chief Minister.

She added that Mr Satish Chandra Mishra was her party's general secretary at present.

''A convention of district and Vidhan Sabha-level party workers from five states -- Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Orissa -- was taking place in Bhopal from tomorrow,'' Ms Mayawati said, adding the meeting would discuss means to strengthen the party in these states.

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