Mulayam government wins vote of confidence

Lucknow, Jan 25: The ruling Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh today won a vote of confidence in the state Assembly amidst boycott by an unruly Opposition.

The ruling party got 223 votes in its favour during a Lobby Division.

Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav sought a vote on the motion of thanks to the Governor's address and said that the same be treated as a confidence vote. While the two motions were passed by a voice vote, the ruling party sought a lobby division from the speaker.

It is being believed that some members from the Opposition BSP and RLD had voted in favour of the government. The Opposition had officially boycotted the proceedings.

The state cabinet had decided to go for the Winter session after the Rashtriya Lok Dal withdrew three of its ministers from the ruling dispensation over poor hike in cane prices by the government.

Earlier, the Opposition had created pandemonium on the Floor of the House, seeking dismissal of senior SP leader and state Transport minister Naresh Agarwal for his reported comments in the House yesterday on rigging in local urban body elections. Earlier today, the proceedings of the legislative assembly were adjourned for 50 minutes, soon after the house met for the day following protests by the Opposition over the remarks of the Minister.

But when the house met again at 1200 hrs, Opposition leaders persisted with their demand to sack Mr Agarwal.

State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Azam Khan said the matter was regrettable. ''If need be, Mr Agarwal will seek an apology,'' he said.

Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav said that by boycotting the proceedings of the House, the Opposition was escaping from its democratic responsibility. ''They know, we are in a majority and will be able to sail through the motion of thanks to the Governor's address in the house,'' he quipped.

He wondered why the Opposition was boycotting the proceedings if the matter was resolved earlier.

Today is perhaps the last day of the Winter session, being dubbed as the farewell session as assembly elections are due shortly.

UNI

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