Mayawati-Kalyan Singh conflict plunges UP into deeper crisis

The days of shadow-boxing are over. The conflict between Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP leader Mayawati and BJP chief minister-in-waiting Kalyan Singh is now in the open, with the state plunging into a deeper crisis.

Making a ''strategic climbdown'' on the contentious assembly speaker issue on Wednesday, Mayawati made several allegations against Kalyan Singh. Instead of calling a media conference, the chief minister spoke only to the Press Trust of India and the United News of India -- so that not many questions would be raised and she could get away with her side of the story.

''We have nothing against Speaker Kesri Nath Tripathiji who has been extremely co-operative. He conducted the Vidhan Sabha very smoothly during the last two sessions,'' she pointed out, adding that it was Kalyan Singh's non-co-operative attitude which compelled BSP supremo Kanshi Ram to raise the speaker issue.

Moments after the media briefing, Kalyan Singh was gunning for the chief minister's blood. A visibly angry Kalyan Singh, supported by state BJP chief Raj Nath Singh, termed Mayawati's allegations ''false and baseless''.

Observing that the allegations have deeply pained him, the BJP vice-president said the party would not give any undertaking to the BSP.

Brushing aside her demand that the safety and security of dalits and Muslims be assured, Kalyan Singh pointed out, ''Let her know that BJP is not anti-Muslim and that the BSP alone is not the champion of the dalit cause. We are fully committed to their cause.''

He did not hesitate to condemn the CM's charge of non-co-operation. ''This is a grave allegation. What could have been greater co-operation on our part than non-interference with her style of functioning. And how could I be critical of her government during the budget session when I did not utter a single word?''

He also took strong exception to Mayawati's remarks about his ''conduct prior to March 21, 1997''.

''Who is she to comment on my conduct?'' he said.

Despite such outbursts, both parties feel there is no threat to the alliance. ''Minor mutual differences do occur everywhere, but I am sure these can be sorted out through dialogue,'' Mayawati said.

Kalyan Singh echoed similar views. ''The BSP-BJP alliance will not break and we will show you how smoothly the government can be run with a BJP chief minister and speaker,'' he said.

Obviously, what keeps the alliance going is the apprehension of President's rule in the event of a parting of ways. For, that would mean another spell of their common political adversary Mulayam Singh Yadav's de facto rule, which both coalition partners dread. In fact, it was because of this that the two parties came closer six months ago.

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