BSP meet asks Mayawati to take decision on support to UPA

Lucknow, Jan 9 (UNI) A meeting of Bahujan Samaj Party MPs, MLAs and senior leaders today authorised Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati to take a decision on the withdrawal of support to the UPA government at the Centre.

Addressing a news conference here, Ms Mayawati said senior party leaders of the country would converge in New Delhi after January 15 for consultations where she will take a decision on whether to continue support to the UPA.

The BSP has 19 MPs in the Lok Sabha and seven in the Rajya Sabha.

The BSP leaders at the meeting said if the Special Protection Group (SPG) Act can be amended for accomodating others in the past, then why cannot it be changed once again for Ms Mayawati and other personalities, who face threat to their lives.

The meeting resolved to take up the issue with the Centre and demanded that the Centre should seriously consider the demand for SPG cover to Ms Mayawati.

Ms Mayawati said UP government had already written to the Centre about ''the threat on my life but it was unfortunate that the UPA government was not seriously considering it.'' ''The members in the meeting were very much concerned about the threat on my life and had criticised the the UPA government for ignoring the SPG demand,'' she added.

She also clarified that only SPG cover would ensure a foolproof security during her frequent visits to different parts of the country for party work. ''State police can ensure strict security inside UP, but outside its borders they have to depend on the respective states,'' she claimed.

''Its my mission to establish people's government everywhere that is why I am facing threat to my life,'' she added.

UNI MB/SB SK RP HS1809