With SP staying firm on its stand for removal of Beni Prasad Verma from the government, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today reached out to Mulayam Singh Yadav in Lok Sabha and asked him with folded hands to give up his demand for his resignation.

Samajwadi Party got support from unexpected quarters when Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj backed Yadav and said in the Lower House that Verma's charge against the SP chief of taking commissions was a breach of privilege.

She said the matter should be referred to the Privileges Committee. Gandhi, who was present in the House and was watching the new bonhomie between SP, an outside supporter of the government, and BJP, walked up to Yadav's seat soon after Lok Sabha was adjourned around noon.

Though she was not audible to reporters in the press gallery, Gandhi was seen talking to Yadav with folded hands. During the conversation, Yadav complained about Verma to Gandhi, who requested him to give up his demand for the Minister's resignation, according to SP sources.