UPA gets support of rebels from BJP, JD-U

The United Progressive Alliance has secured the crucial support of two Members of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal – United.

The Samajwadi Party, which has lost four to five Members of Parliament to the Bahujan Samaj Party, on Sunday produced a BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at a press conference to announce his switching of loyalties.

Singh, who will fight the next election on a SP ticket, will vote in favour of the United Progressive Alliance government during the trust vote on July 22.

Earlier in the day, SP general secretary Amar Singh claimed that seven to eight BSP MPs would support the motion.

Meanwhile, JD-U Member of Parliament Ram Swarup Prasad from Bihar said he would vote for the government in defiance of his party whip.

His party colleague S S Koya from Lakshadweep is believed to be planning to abstain on grounds of ill-health.