Maya's support or withdrawal is neutral for Cong: Joshi

Lucknow, Jun 21 (UNI) Reacting strongly over the Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) withdrawal of support from the UPA government at the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) today said, ''Mayawati is following the foot steps of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)''.

UPCC president Rita Bahuguna Joshi said such an act was expected from the UP Chief Minsiter Mayawati, however, it made no difference to the party as BSP is not an alliance group.

Alleging possiblility of BSP-BJP alliance in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Ms Joshi said Mayawati is behaving like BJP and aiming to join hands with them in the Parliamentary election.

Congress had never asked for support from the BSP supremo, however, she did it of her own wish. But in any case her support or withdrawal will have no effect on the Central government.

Making a scathing attack on Ms Mayawati, the UPCC president alleged Ms Mayawati wanted the Centre to help her to come clean in her cases pending in Supreme Court, however, when she failed to convince the party she started levelling allegations.

Ms Mayawati has charged the UPA government of turning a deaf ear to her demands of funds for UP, whereas the Centre had given maximum help to UP, she said.

Quoting the official figures of funds released for UP, she said in the last three years Centre had released one lakh thousand crore rupees to UP government. The Planning Commission, budget of 9 crores for UP was increased to Rs 35 crores this year, she added.

Pointing out the deteriorating law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, Ms Joshi said Mayawati's allegations on the UPA government over crime cases in the state was ''baseless'' as maintaining law and order in the state is solely a matter of the state government.

UNI PDM AM HS2000