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Suspended BJP MLA sets
conditions for talks

Singh, convener of the 'BJP Bachao Samiti', was suspended on Sunday night for hobnobbing with Samajwadi Party leaders. He claims to enjoy the support of 33 MLAs, of which 29 were present at Sunday night's meeting of the dissident group in Lucknow.

All party MLAs were of the view that Tandon should be removed and 'repression' of dissidents should stop immediately before any talks could be held, Singh, a key rebel leader, told reporters in Lucknow.

He claimed Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was prepared to meet dissident BJP legislators during his recent visit to the state capital, but that Tandon prevented him from doing so.

"The state government is indulging in strong arm tactics," Singh alleged and accused Tandon of instigating Chief Minister Mayawati to 'take action against the legislators who have withdrawn support to her government'.

If 'repression' of the dissidents continued, the MLAs would soon meet the governor demanding security, Singh said.

While alleging that Tandon was bent upon splitting the party, Singh also accused UP BJP chief Vinay Katiyar of trying to force his views on others.

More reports from Uttar Pradesh

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