Bjp-Bsp Alliance External Conspiracy, Says Mulayam

Union defence minister and Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav yesterday termed the BJP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh as an outcome of a conspiracy hatched by some external forces who are bent upon disintegrating the country with the help of communal and casteist forces.

The two parties had inherent contradictions but had joined hands together to share power, Yadav remarked while speaking at a seminar on the making of a conferedation of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, organised by the Lohia Trust to mark the 88th birth anniversary of Ram Manohar Lohia.

The defence minister described the alliance as opportunistic and unprincipled.

He said only a few days back the leaders of the two parties had ruled out the possibility of forming a coalition government as the BSP supremo had sought BJP's outside and unconditional support while the BJP had wanted to share power with them.

Yadav called upon all socialist, democratic and secular elements to join hands to frustrate the designs of these forces.

He asked them to fan out in their towns, blocks and villages to mobilise public opinion against the BJP-BSP combine.

Yadav said Samajwadi Party workers should remain prepared to fight the divisive and opportunistic forces and work dedicatedly for exposing them.

The former Chief Minister warned that the Centre would keep a a constant watch on the political developments in Uttar Pradesh and see to it that any attempt aimed at endangering national unity and integraity was foiled.

Yadav said the United Front government would continue to work for the uplift of the poor, downtrodden, women, minorities and the farmers on the one hand and for the overall progress and prosperity of the country on the other.

Yadav said the forming a confederation of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh would result in the allround development, prosperity and security of the entire region.

This confederation, if materialised, would also go a long way in easing tension and checking arms race which was hampering the progress of the sub-continent.

He said Lohia had pioneered this idea immediately after partition.

The defence minister said the United Front government and all its constituents were in favour of improving ties with neighbours, particularly Pakistan.

He said recently the government had unilaterally relaxed visa rules for Pakistani citizens and the step had been welcomed by the people of Pakistan.