21 MLAs from BSP, BJP promise support to Mulayam before UP Guv

Lucknow, Nov 24 (UNI) In a significant political development, 21 legislators from different political parties today met Uttar Pradesh Governor T V Rajeswar and announced their support to the Mulayam Singh Yadav led state government.

The move comes close on the heels of apprehension that the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) may withdraw from the ruling dispensation any time.

Of the total 21 MLAs, 12 are from the BJP, six are Independents, two from BSP and one from Congress. Five of the BJP MLAs have already been declared unattached by the Speaker.

Hours after the parade, Samajwadi Party demanded the removal of the Governor, terming him an agent of a political party.

The party said the exercise was on to meet President A P J Abdul Kalam and submit a memorandum. ''It is upto the senior party leaders in the national capital as to when to meet the President in this regard,'' SP spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhury said here.

''The Governor has crossed all constitutional limits and is working as an agent of a political party. Therefore, we demand the President remove him in the interest of democracy,'' he added.

The Uttar Pradesh Congress, which is supporting the government in the state Legislative Assembly from outside, termed the ''parade'' as SP's efforts to stem the rebellion building up within the party.

''Parading MLAs who already support the government shows Mr Yadav is not comfortable with the rebellion building within the SP heirarchy...he wants to create a psychological pressure against rebels,'' Congress chief spokesperson A P singh said here.

All these MLAs joined the ruling SP during the past six months and they have either been suspended or expelled from their parent political parties.

During their about one-hour meeting with the Governor, these MLAs escorted by State Revenue Minister Ambika Choudhary, Transport Minister Naresh Agarwal and others, informed in writing they were supporting the present regime for its good work and ''commitment'' to the all round development of Uttar Pradesh.

The SP action, apparently, was necessitated following apprehension of withdrawal of support by RLD's Ajit Singh after his yesterday's meeting with the governor yesterdays. RLD has 15 MLAs and are at present supporting the state government.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting with the governor, Mr Agarwal said these MLAs had gone to the Raj Bhawan to give their 'official' support to the government. Two other BJP MLAs Sandeep Agarwal and Chotey Lal Yadav, who are also in support, could not present themselves, he claimed.

''These MLAs would also support the government inside the assembly, if the opposition has the courage to bring a no-confidence motion in the ongoing session,'' he added.

Although the SP leaders put up a brave face denying apprehension of RLD withdrawing support from the government, but said these MLAs now wanted their support to be official. ''It has nothing to do with the speculation of withdrawal of support by the RLD,'' they added.

Mr Choudhury claimed the government was already enjoying full majority in the assembly and challenged the opposition to bring a no-confidence motion.

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