Mulayam calls UPA 'directionless', praises Mamata

In surprising comments, Mulayam Singh Yadav on Saturday said his Samajwadi Party, a key outside supporter of the United Progressive Alliance government, is in the "opposition" and will fulfill its role in that capacity.

In a stinging criticism of the government, he said it was "directionless". "There are so many scams, so much of corruption...we never thought this will happen," he told the media.

"We are in the opposition. But this not does mean that we are against any individual. We are against the policies (of the UPA) which are wrong and they must rectify them," the SP supremo said.

"This government is directionless. We have big challenges ahead especially for us who are in the opposition. Where they want to take the country we don't have any idea. We are for principles," Mulayam said.

"That is the role of the opposition and we are fulfilling it," he said in Kolkata.

Referring to the alleged coal scam that held up the entire monsoon session of Parliament, earlier the SP chief told party workers, "Coal scam kahan jake rokega dekhiye Bahut corruption hai. (You will see where the coal scam goes. There is a lot of corruption)."

"You can see there is no clear policy and we don't know where they want to take the country. No one can say ... We sit everyday in the Lok Sabha ... We listen ... We are in touch with the government, but there is no direction," he said.

Showering praise on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Mulayam said that she was hard working and a fighter, though also stubborn. "She has many qualities in her as a result of which she has become the chief minister today," he said.

"I respect her. We have spoken to each other several times," Mulayam said.