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Charges fly thick and fast in UP

Sharat Pradhan in Lucknow

The fate of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led multi-party coalition in Uttar Pradesh is facing a precarious situation, following the sacking of Loktantrik party leader Naresh Agarwal, by chief minister Raj Nath Singh on Friday morning.

However, Agarwal, who was also the state's power minister, has in a statement, claimed to have withdrawn support to the government.

While announcing the removal of Agarwal from the state cabinet, Singh told a hurriedly convened press conference, "The minister had not only violated the Constitutional norms, but had also committed breach of faith and that of collective responsibility enshrined in the Indian Constitution."

Agarwal, however, told rediff.com, "We have ourselves withdrawn support to this government because it was apathetic towards the needs of the people."

The sacked minister claimed, "This morning I had a heated argument with the chief minister over my demand for Rs 2 million required immediately for improvement of the grim power situation in the state, following which I decided to withdraw support to his government."

Refuting Agarwal's claims, the chief minister said, "There was no doubt that the state's power situation was grim, but I never blamed the minister for this."

Asked if there were other factors too that accelerated the minister's ouster, Singh quipped, "Well, sure enough, there were others reasons too, but I will spell out these at an appropriate occasion later."

As the trading of charges and counter-charges continued, the chief minister claimed, "There is no threat to my government," while Agarwal maintained, "The Raj Nath Singh government will fall as it was now reduced to a minority."

Apparently, the UP chief minister was relying on the support of the Ajit Singh faction of the Lok Dal, that had recently joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in Delhi.

Asked how he would be able to make up for the loss of LCP's 19 members, Singh shot back, "We have the support of seven member of Ajit Singh's party."

Ajit Singh is in charge of the agriculture ministry at the Centre.

He said, "In pursuance of my political, constitutional and moral obligations, I have sent my recommendation for Agarwal's removal from the cabinet to the UP governor and have also personally conveyed this decision to the minister."

Asked if he had taken the party's central leadership too into confidence, he maintained, "Yes I have informed the party high-command as well."

Meanwhile, hectic political activity has started in the 403 member strong Uttar Pradesh assembly. With LCP's 19 members, BJP had a tally of 217.

Withdrawal of LCP's full strength of 19 would bring the ruling coalition in a minority, with only 198. But considering the remarks of two LCP minister who were present in Lucknow, there seems to be a sharp divide in LCP ranks and there is a likelihood of Naresh Agarwal getting isolated.

Senior LCP leader and Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Diwakar Vikram Singh said Naresh Agarwal had no business to announce withdrawal of support to the government without holding a meeting of the legislature party.

He added that his support to the Raj Nath Singh government was not dependent upon Naresh Agarwal.

Minister of State for Agriculture Vivek Singh too expressed similar sentiments. He also claimed, "There was much resentment against Agarwal within the party, so it was unlikely that every LCP legislator would go with him."

To strike the magic figue of 202, Raj Nath Singh would require the support of just four LCP members.

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