Govt Stand On Cases Rattles Mulayam

The BJP-BSP coalition coming to power in Uttar Pradesh and subsequent reports of action being planned against him, seems to have shaken up defence minister and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav. In a press conference here yesterday, he appeared to have lost his composure. He did not even bother to sound convincing and appeared nervous.

What they can do ? Let them hang me if they can. They should realise that the court has already given its verdict in the Muzaffarnagar firing case, Mulayam, who was here to lay the foundation stone of an Air Force Engineering college, said.

He predicted there would be violence at the grass root level if the SP workers were killed as they have been since the alliance come to power.

He gave a clean chit to Governor Romesh Bhandari and said the law and order situation during his regime was above board. Quoting statistics he said that among the 30 states, UPs position was 27 in maintaining law and order, which, according to him, was very good. He did not reveal the source of the statistics.

He said the law and order situation was worst in the three BJP ruled states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Haryana.

Only two days back, he had gone to Unnao, where he met the family of the deceased police inspector AK Singh, who was killed by the shadow of Mulayams brother when the latter went to file his nomination papers for the Assembly elections. What was shown as an accident is widely believed to be the work of none other then Shive Pal Singh Yadav, Mulayams brother and an MLA from Jaswant nagar.

Mulayam Singh had not cared to visit the family for the past few months, but made it a point to go after the BJP-BSP formation came to power. He offered them compensation, which was rejected by the family. They asked him why he come so late and why the culprits had not been arrested. Observers point out that Mulayams anxiety is apparent from the development.

Rattled by repeated questioning on the BSP-BJP alliance and on the allegation of Laloo Yadav that he is responsible for the formation of the government in UP, Mulayam Singh Yadav took an agressive stance against the press. He said the reporters were nincompoops who do not gather news properly and are clueless about most of the happenings.

He declared that Samajwadi Party had emerged as the strongest force in Uttar Pradesh. Those who can combine with the BJP can do anything. There is no question of joining the BSP, he said. The SP has created a faith among the masses.

Asked about Laloos statement that he is responsible for the formation of the BSP-BJP alliance, he said the parties did not know the definition of secularism. The BSP and the BJP have been in alliance right from the beginning.

He said that there has always been a conflict between the liberal and the conservative Hindus. Right from the time of Gautama Budha to today this continues.

Mulayam strongly pleaded for overlooking the hostile statements emanating from Pakistan, on relations with India.

He said there have been three wars after the partition and therefore there is bound to be enmity between the nations. Do not take these statements seriously. Some people do play politics due to long standing hatred, he said.