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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Sunday categorically denied any differences with her coalition partner - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
She vehemently contradicted news reports about a possible revolt by some BJP legislators annoyed at being excluded from the ministry.
"Such rumours are being spread by those who do not want the coalition to last," she told a press conference in Lucknow on Sunday.
"The BJP and other allies have expressed full faith in my leadership and there is absolutely no reason for me to have any doubt about winning the trust vote on the floor of the House (on May 17)," she said.
"I can understand some BJP leaders demanding a berth in the cabinet, but none of them is going to vote against the government," she asserted.
Indicating that the Bahujan Samaj Party was keen on a long-term association with the BJP, she pointed to their cooperation in the recently held mayoral polls in the state.
"With our support, the BJP got its nominees elected in nine of the 12 cities," she pointed out.
The two partners would also jointly contest the three by-elections to the state assembly and one to the Lok Sabha, she added.
Having been put on the defensive by the criticism of the 250-odd transfers she has affected over the past eight days since she assumed office, she spent a considerable amount of time explaining the changes.
She flatly denied having issued orders to withhold information regarding the transfers.
"I have only asked my official machinery to change the system of dissemination of information," she clarified.
Earlier, her official spokesman had categorically told mediapersons about the decision to withhold information. In fact, Mayawati had ensured his presence at the press conference to clear the air on the issue.
"I have no intention of hiding anything from the public eye. Henceforth, a list senior officials transferred would be issued to the media. However, the transfer of junior officials would be announced at the district level only."
Scotching reports about alleged resentment within the BJP over the transfers, Mayawati said, "I wish to point out that there was a clear understanding between the BSP and the BJP that transfers would remain the prerogative of the chief minister."
"Senior BJP minister Lalji Tandon has publicly stated that the BJP had no reservations about the transfers," she pointed out.
Describing the transfers as a 'routine affair for any new government', she said, "The transfers were not prompted by consideration of caste, creed or religion. These were done solely on merit, to tone up the law and order machinery and the general administration."
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