Mulayam blows early poll bugle

Fresh from a landslide victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday spoke of the possibility of a midterm election next year.

The Congress, however, claimed that such a possibility was “remote”.

Speaking at a function in Lucknow, Mr Yadav said the Lok Sabha elections could be held “anytime” after a year from now and urged SP workers to be “fully prepared for an early election”.

He also directed his son, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, to implement the party manifesto at the earliest, and said “visible changes” should be seen within six months.

Sources disclosed that the SP leadership was of the opinion that an early poll would electorally help the party. Expecting that the honeymoon period with the electorates would continue for some time, the SP feels that a mid term poll would boost up its strength in the Lok Sabha, which eventually could give the outfit a key role in planning or formation of a possible third front, sources said. The SP also took a “conscious decision” not to participate in the UPA government at the Centre.

Countering the claim, Congress told Mr Yadav that there was “no point creating an air of uncertainity or instability where none exists”. Virtually ridiculing the observation, Congress spokesman, Abhishek Singhvi said, “There is obviously no guarantee that the sky may not fall on our heads or that Yeddyurappa will stop demanding the Chief Minister’s chair.” He then went on to add that “the possibility of mid-term polls is as remote as that” and Mr Yadav’s remarks are bound to give a handle to the Opposition and a section of allies, particularly the Trinamul, who too would prefer a mid term poll.

However, Trinamul chief Mamata Banerjee has gone on record saying that there “will not be any snap poll”.