SP ready for snap polls, rules out joining UPA-II

Lucknow, Sept 23:

is ready for mid-term Lok Sabha polls but it is supporting the UPA government to keep communal forces at bay, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister

said.

At the same time, the SP leader ruled out the possibility of joining the UPA government at the Centre but pledged to continue its crucial support to UPA-II after Trinamool Congress walked out of the ruling alliance on FDI and other issues. SP has with 22 MPs in Lok Sabha.

"What benefit will FDI bring to farmers and traders who eke out a living from small stores? Samajwadi Party will not take any decision which will affect farmers and small traders," he told reporters.

"As far as (mid-term) polls are concerned, SP is ready... Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) has clearly stated that SP has always taken steps to keep communal forces at bay," Akhilesh said.

Discounting the possibility of joining the UPA government, he said, "With limited time left for the government who will want to join it?" Samajwadi Party had participated in the Bharat Bandh on Sept 20 to protest against the FDI in multi-brand retail and hike in diesel prices.

Akhilesh also attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, holding him responsible for India's economic crisis. Reacting to the Prime Minister's address to the nation on Friday and his remark that 'money does not grow on trees', he said, "If an economist of his stature gives such an answer, then we have to certainly take note of it."

PTI