NEW DELHI – Amidst speculation that his party might withdraw outside support to the UPA government, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday launched a tirade against Congress accusing it of being “cheat and clever” and taking the people for a ride.
Addressing SP workers at his native place Saifai in Uttar Pradesh (UP), Yadav said Cong-ress always does things keeping in mind elections. “First, the party waived farmers’ loan slightly and then the elections took place which saw Congress winning a convincing majority. They will again do that. They are so clever and cheat… they take people for a ride when the time comes,” said Yadav, asking people not to fall for Congress’ tactics.
Hinting at his ambitions for a larger role in national politics, Yadav said the upcoming Lok Sabha polls are the “real elections as Delhi means everything”.
“State governments don’t mean much. They are like your ‘patwari’ (revenue official) and government in Delhi is akin to your collector,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Mulayam’s son and UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said party workers’ next target should be to see Mulayam on the throne in Delhi.
The SP chief claimed that in next Lok Sabha elections, SP would be in the role of a kingmaker and party workers should work hard so that the party can take up the key role. He said the faith with which people installed a SP government in UP has to be retierated in Lok Sabha elections.
Calling upon people to support the SP so that the country could get rid of both the Congress and the BJP, Mulayam said his party would certainly lead a new political trend in the country and will strengthen the unity of the regional parties.
However, this time Mulayam refused to comment on BJP or LK Advani. His comments on the senior BJP leader created ripples in the political circle. The SP chief also commented that if Congress wants to support the SP in UP during the LS polls then they can benefit in politics. But he refused to elaborate.
