Presidential polls: BSP keeps UPA, NDA guessing

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May 25, 2007 15:11 IST

A guessing game over Bahujan Samaj Party support to either United Progressive Alliance or National Democratic Alliance on the presidential polls continued with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Friday declining to open her cards before discussing the matter with party leaders.

"I will be able to open my cards (on the presidential polls) only after consultations with party MPs, MLAs and other leaders," she said addressing her first press conference in Delhi after taking over the reins of UP for the fourth time.

To repeated questions whether BSP would support a UPA candidate for the top post or field its own nominee, Mayawati said she has not given a thought to it as she was preoccupied with law and order matters of the state.

"But this matter is very important and my party will have to take a decision very carefully," the BSP supremo said.

She also parried a question on supporting President A P J Abdul Kalam for a second term in office saying, "A decision would be taken only after consulting party leaders."

Mayawati said she would meet both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi during her stay in Delhi.

She rejected suggestions of BSP joining the UPA government at the Centre, but maintained that her party would continue to support the Congress-led coalition from outside.

Mayawati asserted that whatever decisions her government took against the "wrongs" done by the previous government would not be borne out of political vendetta.

"Mistakes of the past will be corrected and every decision where rules have been flouted will be reviewed," she said.

Mayawati also ruled out appointment of a deputy chief minister. The UP chief minister said that the backlog of reservation in state government jobs will be cleared within six months.

Mayawati said her government's policies would focus on providing justice to Dalits and those belonging to backward class as well as economically backward among the upper castes.

She promised land, held by the upper castes on lease, for Dalits during her tenure.

Mayawati said she would strive to give a fearless, terror-free and development oriented government.

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