Cong fears horse trading in Uttar Pradesh

New Delhi, Jan 23 (UNI) The Congress today warned of the possibility of horse trading by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh in his bid to prove his majority in the Assembly and said that he should show the courage of resigning from the post on moral grounds.

"There is no need for a floor test in the Assembly with Mr Yadav having lost his credibility and moral right to continue on the post," AICC General Secretary incharge of Uttar Pradesh Ashok Gehlot said.

The Congress will decide about its stand in the event of the Chief Minister taking a confidence vote in the Assembly tomorrow after discussing with other parties, he said in a chat with mediapersons here.

Mr Gehlot said the future course of events in the State would depend on the expected Supreme Court decision on the fate of the 33 former BSP MLAs in the Samajwadi Party."If there is horse trading it would be wrong and unfortunate." However,much would depend on the stand the Governor would take, he said.

Replying to a question on whether Mr Mulayam Singh could become caretaker Chief Minister in case he proved his majority and recommends dissolution of the Assembly, he said this would again depend on the Governor.

About the next Assembly elections, Mr Gehlot said while being prepared to contest all the 403 seats independently, the Congress was exploring all the possbilities of having electoral alliance with smaller parties.

"The Congress is in touch with the smaller parties in this connection," he said.

Mr Gehlot parried a question as to whether Congress MP Rahul Gandhi would have any say in the selection of candidates for the Assembly elections.

UNI