Mulayam counting on Left support

Lucknow, Feb 20 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav today hoped the Left Parties would not desert Samajwadi Party in the present political crisis.

''I am confident they (Left Parties) will oppose tooth and nail the imposition of President's Rule in UP by the Congress,'' Mr Yadav said.

The Samajwadi Party supremo also called upon workers to maintain a vigil against the conspiracy of the Congress and the BJP to dislodge the ''people oriented government'' and be ready to come out on the streets.

Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the 'Lohia Path' inauguration ceremony here, the CM said: ''I do not believe that the Left Parties will compromise on the use of Article 356 of the Constitution in UP.'' ''When the Left supports abolishment of Article 356, then how can they support the UPA regime in this matter?'' he noted.

However, the CM hinted there was a possibility of the imposition of President's rule in UP, but added SP was ready to face any consequences and ultimately people will decide the fate in the coming elections.

He clarified there was no Supreme Court stricture against his regime, nor any word on the disqualification of the remaining 24 MLAs of the Loktantrik Bahujan Dal (LBD).

''The Congress and other parties are making wrong interpretation of the SC judgment and it is unfortunate that people like Mr Kapil Sibal are also in the same league,'' he said.

''The CM reiterated that there ''is no question of my resignation nor disqualification of the 24 MLAs''.

Taking a dig on UP Governor T V Rajeswar, the CM said: ''He is acting on the directives of the Congress and is not taking any decisions on his own.'' MORE UNI