Congress wants prez rule in UP in view of presidential elections

Bangalore, Feb 20 (UNI) Congress party was conspiring to impose President's rule in Uttar Pradesh denying the State legislators from voting in the Presidential Elections scheduled for August, suspended Congress leader and former Foreign Minister Natwar Singh claimed today.

Delivering a talk on "India's Foreign Policy and Iraq", organised by Samajwadi Party here he said the Congress wanted to deny voting rights to the large number of legislators of Samajwadi Party and others opposed to Congress, in the Presidential electrions.

"There are 300 MLAs and 100 MLCs in UP who may not vote for the Congress supported candidate. The Assembly term ends in May. If Congress manages in its ploy then these members would lose their right to vote'' he said.'' If they have to stop this they need to dissolve the house. Mr Mulayam Singh has said that he would prove the majority on February 26, why can't the Congress wait for just another week and why was it so anxious to impose president's rule.

This is the reason," he asked.

Mr Mulayam Singh and other SP leaders would be meeting President A P J Abdul Kalam to brief him about the conspiracy being hatched by the Congress. The final decision lies with Dr Kalam, he said.

Asked when he would join SP, Mr Singh said he was still a 'half' Congressman. "I am suspended Congressman, I will not go back to that party anyway even if they don't dare expell me. Why should I reveal my strategy. Apart from being a diplomat I am also a politician," he said.

UNI