Unrelenting Beni fires another salvo: Mulayam no socialist

After a brief lull, Union minister Beni Prasad Verma on Saturday launched another tirade against Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, saying those "serving family interest" cannot be termed as socialists.

Five days after he came under fire over his remark that Mulayam allegedly has "terrorist links", Beni on Saturday said, "Those who are serving the interest of their family cannot be termed as socialists."

The Union minister was addressing a party's 'dharna' against UP government's "failures" and "dismal" law and order situation in the state.

"How can they think of society and common man when they are concerned only about themselves and their family," Beni said without naming anyone.

"In reality, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indiraji were the real socialists who had followed socialism," he claimed.

When asked, whether he would put his papers over his remarks on SP supremo, Beni replied, "Why should I resign".

The Union minister said he would continue to struggle for another 20 years and will strive for Rahul Gandhi till he becomes Prime Minister.

Referring to SP workers burning his effigy over his remarks, he said let them continue to do so "it would only prolong my life".

Asking the party workers to work hard, Beni said UP has always played an important role in national politics but things are different on Saturday. "The funds, meant for welfare schemes for the Dalits and minorities, are being spend on unemployment allowance and laptops," the Congress leader said.

On the law and order situation in the state, Beni said growing incidents of loot, murder, rape and bribe do not depict socialism.

Referring to the murder of DSP Zia-ul-Haque, he said that National Security Act should have been invoked on the accused before transferring the case to CBI.

Though critical of Mulayam, Beni said UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, is a wise person and would improve things if given a free hand.