Seeking disqualification aimed at taking wind out of SP's sails!

New Delhi, Feb 17 (UNI) The swift move of the BJP to seek disqualification its 10 MLAs, who voted with the ruling Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh, was aimed at reducing the strength of the ruling party ahead of its move to seek a vote of confidence in the State Assembly on February 26, BJP sources said today.

BJP Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had stated that the party had asked Leader of the Opposition in the UP Assembly to petition the Speaker to act against these defectors for violating the party whip when Chief Minister Mulayam Singh sought his strength last month.

''These BJP MLAs had flouted the whip and the Speaker has the record of all their signatures on record, so he does not need any fresh evidence of their violations,'' he said.

Apart from bringing down the numbers, the BJP's move was also aimed at stopping further poaching. Moreover, these MLAs sought to be disqualified will come under the purview of the Anti-Defection law with penal clauses, including a ban on their contesting elections for the next six years, party sources added.

UNI