NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Sharat Pradhan in Lucknow
Bharatiya Janata Party and independent dissidents in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday called on Governor Vishnukant Shastri and told him about the "vindictive" action ordered against some of them by Chief Minister Mayawati and the BJP.
Led by Ganga Bhakt Singh, the BJP legislator who was suspended from the party for raising the banner of revolt, five MLAs went to Raj Bhawan and handed over a memorandum to Shastri.
"The idea was to draw the governor's attention to the undemocratic and repressive tactics adopted by the chief minister against some independent MLAs, who had withdrawn support to the ruling BSP-BJP coalition," Ganga Bhakt Singh said after the meeting.
"We have urged the governor for immediate revocation of criminal cases and proceedings initiated by the government against some of the legislators," he said, adding, "even though the legislators remain undaunted by the police action it is highly condemnable in a democracy."
"The governor has assured us that he will get the matter investigated and sorted out. But if the issue remains unresolved, we would be compelled to take to the streets."
Three of the five legislators who met the governor were from the BJP.
Asked if he had responded to BJP general secretary Rajnath Singh's appeal for a dialogue with the central leadership, Ganga Bhakt Singh said, "Well, I have made it very clear that we have no objection about talking it out with the central leaders. But that is not possible without a rollback on all the vindictive actions against both BJP and independent dissidents."
He said BJP leader and Minister for Housing and Urban Development Lalji Tandon was the "main culprit" for the prevailing political crisis. "It was Tandon who did not allow us an audience before Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and thereby precipitated the crisis," he alleged.
He said Tandon had "lost his mental equilibrium".
Tandon is the constituency manager of Vajpayee. He is also a confidant of Mayawati, who calls him "brother".
Tandon usually fixes all appointments for Vajpayee during the latter's stay in Lucknow.
ALSO READ SP's request for help in UP will be discussed: Congress Suspended BJP MLA sets conditions for talks Sonia gives 'patient hearing' to Mulayam and co Eight independents withdraw support to Mayawati govt Sonia-Mulayam meeting on Sunday evening SP, Congress MLAs willing to support us: BJP Amar Singh holds talks with Congress leaders No need to convene assembly: UP Governor Fifteen BSP legislators willing to revolt: Mulayam Rebel BJP legislators not interested in meeting PM The Election in UP: The Complete Coverage
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
