Mayawati meets Sonia over tea, but avoids talking to Press

New Delhi, May 25 (UNI) BSP supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati met Congress President Sonia Gandhi at the latter's residence here today over a cup of tea during her first visit to the national capital after becoming the Chief Minister of the State a fourth time.

She was accompanied by her Cabinet colleague and her second in command in the Government Satish Chand Mishra at the meeting, which lasted more than one hour.

During the meeting, Mrs Gandhi is believed to have sought Ms Mayawati's support for the UPA candidate in the Presidential poll due in July. The BSP leader holds the key in the crucial election to the highest Constitutional post with her party having around 55,000 votes in the electoral college.

Ms Mayawati on her part is understood to have sought from Mrs Gandhi the Central Government's support in the various schemes and projects for Uttar Pradesh.

The Chief Minister did not talk to the reporters waiting outside Mrs Gandhi's 10 Janpath residence both while entering and coming out it and went away.

Earlier in the day, Ms Mayawati had refused to open her cards on her party's support to the Presidential candidate saying that she would take a decision only after holding wide-ranging meetings with party executive members and other leaders.

The issue is likely to figure again during her meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here tomorrow.

UNI