Mulayam can block Sonia, so PM’s being soft on him

If the Congress’ adjournment motion against the Mulayam Singh Yadav government shows how the two allies have drifted apart, political c...

If the Congress’ adjournment motion against the Mulayam Singh Yadav government shows how the two allies have drifted apart, political circles are abuzz over how close Mulayam has travelled towards PM Atal Behari Vajpayee.

They point to the manner in which controversial UP Chief Secretary Akhand Pratap Singh got a three-month extension in spite of opposition from the bureaucracy after Mulayam is believed to have put in a ‘‘personal word’’ for his continuation with the PM.

	‘Plot to embarrass govt’

			LUCKNOW: Alarmed over the frequent attempts to vitiate the communal and casteist atmosphere in the state, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav today claimed that it was a conspiracy to embarrass his government. ‘‘Some people have been holding secret meetings where they are directing their followers, of a particular caste, to foment trouble in the state. I do not want to take names but I want to tell them that their efforts will be dealt with sternly,’’ he said. (ENS)

However, there’s nothing unusual about an officer getting an extension if a CM puts in a request for it with the PM. This has happened in the past though more as exception rather than the rule.

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But what has raised eyebrows this time is the fact that Akhand Pratap Singh had a cloud of corruption over him. A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court against the extension and the matter will come up for hearing on November 24.

Vajpayee’s OK to Singh’s extension is not so much a bureaucratic story as a political one. It is simplistic to conclude Mulayam is about to align with the BJP. His value lies in keeping Sonia Gandhi out of power. Mulayam has consistently refused to commit support to Sonia for prime ministership, despite the backing the Congress is giving him in UP.

Vajpayee can come to power even if the BJP gets 120 seats but it will be difficult for Sonia unless the Congress notches up 190-200 seats. Vajpayee’s plan is to create a situation where Sonia gets nowhere near the winning post. It is not unnatural for him to warm up to the regional players, such as Mulayam and Sharad Pawar, who cannot join hands with the BJP overtly but can try and put a spoke in Sonia’s wheel.