With UP Chief Minister Mayawati on a poaching spree, a terrified Congress has despatched its nine MLAs, five of them being first-timers, to Himachal Pradesh for campaigning there. At the same time, parties with one to three legislators are finding it hard to keep their outfits intact.Even the letter of support extended to the Mayawati government by a majority of these smaller groups doesn’t seem to reassure the Chief Minister who faces a no-confidence motion in the Assembly during the Budget session beginning next month.‘‘Those giving support from outside or who have even become ministers can switch sides at the time of counting. Once they are with the BSP, there is no chance for them to take any other bait for toppling the government,’’ claimed a BSP leader on condition of anonymity.This explains why the CM has put the condition of joining the BSP before becoming ministers and eight have joined her party so far. And Mayawati’s next target will reportedly be JD (U)’s Shankhlal Majhi, also minister of state for Fisheries.Majhi is holding a massive rally at Sant Kabir Nagar on February 16 in which he is likely to announce joining the BSP. ‘‘Though he is a JD (U) legislator, he has not invited any leader of our party for the rally. There are chances that he will announce decision of joining the BSP on February 16,’’ said state JD (U) chief Suresh Niranjan Prabhu.The Chief Minister had coaxed two MPs, Ramakant Yadav and Bhal Chand, who joined JD(U) after being expelled from the SP, to join the BSP a few months back. Sharad Yadav sensed trouble after they joined the BSP and ensured that one of his legislators becomes a minister and Majhi got the chance.Sources said BSP spin doctors are working overtime to force Dinanath Kushwaha, the sole MLA of National Loktantrik Party, and two MLAs of the three-member Apna Dal legislature group to join the BSP.
