Mulayam is BJP agent: Cong leader Alvi

Remarks may fuel controversy as they come at a time when Mulayam has extended support to Pranab

In comments that can fuel a controversy, Congress leader Rashid Alvi has described Mulayam Singh Yadav as the "biggest agent" of BJP at a time when the SP supremo's party is coming closer to the ruling alliance at the Centre.

"I don't know if you would like it or not but I have been saying it for the last 10 years that if there is anybody who is the biggest agent of BJP, it is Mulayam Singh Yadav. If anybody dances to the tunes of BJP, it is Mulayam Singh Yadav," Alvi, the Congress spokesperson, said addressing a public meeting here last night.

The remarks may fuel a controversy as they come at a time when Mulayam Singh Yadav has extended support to the UPA Presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee.

The Congress was quick to distance itself from Alvi's comments.

"Party does not approve of this...The Congress has always been in favour of uniting all secular forces," AICC General Secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said.

When contacted, Alvi, however, downplayed his remarks, saying the comments were made at a public meeting at a time when municipal elections are on in the state and all political parties are attacking each other.

"It is election time in the state in which parties are making allegations against each other, SP is also making allegations against us. Elections are going on. The remarks were made at a public meeting. There is not much between the lines to be read," he said.