SP: Won’t force mid-term polls
Though the Samajwadi Party on Thursday maintained that the coming together of the Opposition parties on the issue of hike in petroleum producers is akin to the pre-emergency time of 1975, the party stated that it would not withdraw support to the UPA government.
SP spokesman and Rajya Sabha MP Mohan Singh, when asked if his party could withdraw the support to the UPA, said the party was against imposing early Lok Sabha elections on the country. “Therefore, we are supporting the government,” stated Mr Singh.
The SP leader said that the party has directed its workers to take part across the country in the July 5 strike to protest against the hike in the petroleum products. “In UP we are the biggest Opposition party and will ensure that the trade in the state is completely shut down on that day,” added Mr Singh.
However, the other Opposition parties — the RJD, LJP and BSP — have refused to take part in the July 5 strike, which is supported by the Left parties, the BJP, JD(U) and the TDP, among others.
Mr Singh said the SP would request the LJP, RLD and the RJD “with folded hands” to join the bandh call. The BSP has called for protest on July 6, while the RJD-LJP combine has called for Bihar bandh on July 10. “As a responsible political party which is affected by the plight of the common man, we have decided to join the July 5 nationwide bandh against hike in petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG prices,” the SP spokesman told reporters in Delhi. Mr Singh likened the hike in petroleum prices to the imposition of Emergency and said it has developed a “warmth” in the relationship among Opposition parties.
The SP leader attacked the policies of the UPA government for the escalation in prices of essential commodities, saying despite rising prices an “arrogant” government was not taking appropriate steps to check the situation.
“Neither is it ready to roll back the hike,” Mr Singh said.
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