Should Mayawati's successor seek a trust vote in UP?

Should the Bharatiya Janata Party leader who takes over as the Uttar Pradesh chief minister from Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati next month prove his majority in the state assembly?

It is up to Governor Romesh Bhandari to take a decision in this regard, said Uttar Pradesh assembly Speaker Kesrinath Tripathi on Wedneday.

If Chief Minister Mayawati transfers power to the BJP at the end of her six-month tenure as per party's agreement with the saffron brigade, the new incumbent would have to submit a list of legislators supporting him, the speaker said.

However, as the combine has 240 legislators in the 425-member House, it may not be necessary for the new chief minister to prove his majority, Tripathi said.

The speaker, who belongs to the BJP, refused to comment on Mayawati's ''occasional'' presence during the 18 sittings of the house. He, however, regretted that leaders of all parties, except the Janata Dal and the Samata Party, were not present when the house was adjourned sine die on August 13.

UNI

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