Mulayam alleges Sonia-Modi nexus against SP

Karampur, (Ghazipur), Feb 25 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav today alleged an ''unholy'' alliance between the Congress and BJP to stop the Samajwadi Party (SP) from achieving prominence in national politics.

Kickstarting party's electoral campaign with a rally at the Karampur mini stadium under the Saidpur Assembly constituency, Mr Yadav alleged that Sonia Gandhi and Narendra Modi had united against the SP whose stature is fast growing in the national politics. "The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation has recognised Mr Modi as the best Chief Minister, which exposes the new partnership between the Congress and BJP to defeat the SP,'' Mr Yadav added.

Terming the coming polls in UP as national elections, Mr Yadav said SP will form the government on its own to foil the evil designs of the Sonia-Modi nexus created by a prominent industrialist.

''I call upon the entire socialist family to come under one banner to wipe out the collective opposition working against my party, which stands for the cause of all sections of society,'' the SP supremo said.

Training his guns further on the Congress, Mr Yadav said, ''right from the start it wanted to dislodge my government. But people of UP supported by parties like Telugu Desham, CPM, AIADMK and even Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar proved that New Delhi and Raj Bhawan in Lucknow cannot destabilise the popular government in UP.'' Describing Ajit Singh's RLD as the ''biggest traitor,'' Mr Yadav said ''the RLD was gifted by my government what it did not deserve.

A party which had only 14 MLAs, was gifted with seven prime portfolios in the government, besides two MLCs and one Rajya Sabha membership. Look at what they gave this state in return. Their leaders destroyed the Irrigation Ministry.'' ''Chaudhary Charan Singh ke marne ke baad, RLD bhi Congress ke raah par chal pari hai after the death of chaudhry Charan Singh, he RLD is also moving on the path of the congress'' Mr Yadav quipped.

Avoiding making any announcements due to the model code of conduct, the Chief Minister promised ''I will make the announcements at this very place in Ghazipur, on the day my government begins its new innings on its own.'' Mr Yadav also termed Big B Amitabh Bachchan's association with the SP as a ''godsend for UP.'' ''Unki wajah se pradesh mein nivesh badha hai jis se vikas ki gati aur tez huyi hai.'' (His association with SP has triggered investments in UP resulting in acceleration of development in the state).

Terming the resignation of 67 BSP MLAs as a 'drama,' Mr Yadav questioned as to why did they not quit before the Assembly Speaker.

"We are going to win the trust vote tomorrow in the State Assembly and it is totally immaterial whether the Opposition stays in the House or walks out,'' he asserted.

UNI