After the TMC decided to pull out of the UPA-2 late on Tuesday evening, all eyes are now on the SP and the BSP. The big question being debated in the political circles is that with Mamata out, will Mayawati and Mulayam save the government as they had done in the past or withdraw support and prefer an early Lok Sabha elections?
Significantly, though both the BSP and SP criticised the UPA government for overlooking the demand to withdraw decision of FDI in retail sector and roll back of fuel prices, they preferred to keep their cards close to their chest on continuing outside support to the the central government. Sources in the two parties said that both Mulayam and Mayawati are thoroughly weighing their options before making any announcement. The TMC has 20 MPs in Lok Sabha, BSP - 19 and SP - 21.
The TMC is the second largest constituent in the multi-party UPA. The withdrawal of support by the TMC, the UPA's effective strength in the 545-seat Lok Sabha has come down from 273 to 254, which is slightly below the half-way mark. The SP and the BSP can save the UPA but both remained remain non-committal over the issue of continuing support saying that "a final decision will be taken after discussion in the party".
SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav, while reacting to TMC's decision, said that "the style of functioning of Congress-led UPA government was not right, as a result of which the TMC was forced to withdraw support. He said the Congress was behaving as if it had two-thirds majority. When asked whether the SP will continue its support or not, Yadav said that SP is not going to take any decision immediately. He said that the SP along with other regional parties including the Left has given a call of nation-wide strike on September 20 against the FDI in retail and fuel price hike.
"The party will convene a meeting of the parliamentary board after the protest to discuss the issue of continuing support to UPA," he said, indicating that the SP prefers wait and watch, instead of a hasty decision. When asked if the SP will invite Mamata to join September 20 protest, he said the TMC had already staged a protest on the issue. The BSP leaders said that their party stands by the announcement made by Mayawati on September 15. The BSP supremo had also demanded immediate revocation of the decisions on the FDI in retail and price hike.
However, regarding support to the UPA, Mayawati had then said that she will take final decision after consulting party leaders on October 9. The party is holding a rally in Lucknow on October 9, on the occasion of BSP founder Kanshiram's death anniversary. Mayawati will take stock of party's preparedness for early Lok Sabha election. "We would prefer to go to the polls at a time when anti-incumbency factor against the SP government in UP is high and in favour of the BSP. We also do not want to take the blame of fall of the 'secular' UPA government, keeping in mind Muslim votes,"" said a BSP MP. He also said that the party president will issue a press statement over the new development.
Significantly, though both the BSP and SP criticised the UPA government for overlooking the demand to withdraw decision of FDI in retail sector and roll back of fuel prices, they preferred to keep their cards close to their chest on continuing outside support to the the central government. Sources in the two parties said that both Mulayam and Mayawati are thoroughly weighing their options before making any announcement. The TMC has 20 MPs in Lok Sabha, BSP - 19 and SP - 21.
The TMC is the second largest constituent in the multi-party UPA. The withdrawal of support by the TMC, the UPA's effective strength in the 545-seat Lok Sabha has come down from 273 to 254, which is slightly below the half-way mark. The SP and the BSP can save the UPA but both remained remain non-committal over the issue of continuing support saying that "a final decision will be taken after discussion in the party".
SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav, while reacting to TMC's decision, said that "the style of functioning of Congress-led UPA government was not right, as a result of which the TMC was forced to withdraw support. He said the Congress was behaving as if it had two-thirds majority. When asked whether the SP will continue its support or not, Yadav said that SP is not going to take any decision immediately. He said that the SP along with other regional parties including the Left has given a call of nation-wide strike on September 20 against the FDI in retail and fuel price hike.
"The party will convene a meeting of the parliamentary board after the protest to discuss the issue of continuing support to UPA," he said, indicating that the SP prefers wait and watch, instead of a hasty decision. When asked if the SP will invite Mamata to join September 20 protest, he said the TMC had already staged a protest on the issue. The BSP leaders said that their party stands by the announcement made by Mayawati on September 15. The BSP supremo had also demanded immediate revocation of the decisions on the FDI in retail and price hike.
However, regarding support to the UPA, Mayawati had then said that she will take final decision after consulting party leaders on October 9. The party is holding a rally in Lucknow on October 9, on the occasion of BSP founder Kanshiram's death anniversary. Mayawati will take stock of party's preparedness for early Lok Sabha election. "We would prefer to go to the polls at a time when anti-incumbency factor against the SP government in UP is high and in favour of the BSP. We also do not want to take the blame of fall of the 'secular' UPA government, keeping in mind Muslim votes,"" said a BSP MP. He also said that the party president will issue a press statement over the new development.
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