Opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh on Friday demanded that Chief Minister Mayawati seek a fresh vote of confidence in the assembly in the wake of its alliance partner Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal's decision to withdraw its ministers from the government.
The RLD decided to pull its ministers out after Ajit Singh, who held the agriculture portfolio in the Union Cabinet till Friday, resigned ahead of a ministerial reshuffle.
Since Mayawati heads a coalition government with the BJP, this is being seen as an angry Ajit Singh's first strike against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in Delhi.
Leader of Opposition Azam Khan and Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president Arun Kumar Singh Munna claimed the state government was reduced to a minority after the Bharatiya Janata Party rebels came out against it in October. The government defeated the no-confidence motion in an 'undemocratic manner' they said.
Khan said the chief minister could now again try to use terror tactics or even call for mid-term poll to avoid another showdown in the assembly.
He said his party was not averse to holding consultations with RLD chief Ajit Singh for providing an alternative to the Mayawati government.
But before such a move is made, he said, it was necessary that RLD withdraw support to the government.
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