I never termed Amar Singh a power broker as alleged by BSP: Lalu

New Delhi, Jul 17 (UNI) Rashtriya Janata Dal President Lalu Prasad today strongly refuted the BSP's allegation that he had termed Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh a 'power broker' and said the latter has always stood for secularism and fought for weaker sections of society.

Reacting to media reports about BSP leader and Uttar Pradesh Minister Swami Prasad Maurya's statement that Mr Prasad had first recognised Mr Singh's 'talent' as a power broker, the RJD President said the BSP has started doing ''dirty politics'' by making such statements.

Asserting that he had never used the term 'power broker' for Mr Singh as being used by the BSP, Mr Prasad said he feel that the SP leader is a mature politician who has always fought for weaker sections and worked for secularism.

Charging that the BSP was degrading politics by using derogatory terms for politicans, Mr Prasad said the party should desist from it.

The Railway Minister said the BSP leaders were anti-secularism and against the interest of the country. He said the Samajwadi Party has taken a wise decision in the interest of the country which would be remembered in the annals of history.

According to Mr Prasad, as the date of trust vote on July 22 is coming near the BSP leaders were getting anxious and were trying to tarnish the image of the people supporting the UPA government.

Media reports had quoted Maurya as saying ''Mr Amar Singh has already got wide recognition as a dalal. First it was Mr Prasad that recognised that his talent as a power broker and now Mr L K Advani has said the same.'' UNI AJ RL RK1515