Another crisis haunts BJP-BSP alliance in UP

The Bahujan Samaj Party-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition in Uttar Pradesh seems to be inching towards a crisis, with both the parties taking an adamant stand over the assembly speaker's post.

As per the arrangement between the partners, Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati will step down as chief minister in September, allowing the BJP's nominee to take over.

However, the BSP now insists it should get the assembly speaker's post -- currently held by the BJP -- before the change-over.

Rejecting the demand, the BJP said it was ''ready for the consequences''. State BJP spokesman Shyam Nandan Singh said the speaker's continuation in office was part of the agreement reached between the two parties.

As the agreement between the two parties was put in ''black and white'', it would be made public if the circumstances demanded, he said.

Singh took exception to Kanshi Ram's statement in this regard, saying the BSP supremo should have first raised the demand at the coalition partners's steering committee.

He, however, refused to admit that the BSP chief's statement had created a political crisis in the state. A solution to the problem would be arrived at, he said.

Similiar views were expressed by Kanshi Rao on Saturday. Addressing the media in Bombay, the BSP chief said his demand would not affect the coalition government.

He said the issue would be resolved at a meeting between him, BJP president L K Advani and leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Kanshi Ram denied having ever said that he was disillusioned with the BJP. However, he admitted having called the BJP a cobra, adding that he considered ''a cobra less harmful than the aastin ka saanp (snake in the grass)''.

As for the Congress, he said it was a harmless snake.

Mayawati, who was also present at the media conference, said she would be involved in party work after handing over the chief ministership to the BJP. She said the transfer of power would be smooth and described the relationship between the BSP and the BJP as cordial.

UNI

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