Not in race for PM: Mulayam

Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav has declared that he is not in the race for Prime Ministership. “I am not the contender for the Prime Minister’s post,” Mulayam told reporters yesterday. “The ‘Maharani’ has already declared herself as the candidate for Prime Ministership,” he said in a reference to Mayawati.

Mulayam was reacting to questions about the newly-formed Third Front and about the prospects of Mayawati as its candidate for the PM’s chair. The SP chief criticised the BSP for “selling” election tickets.

He parried questions about the Left deserting him and joining hands with Mayawati, and limited himself to saying: “We have been friends with the Left and they remain our friends, though it’s true that I haven’t been in touch with them.” Referring to the note-for-vote episode, Mulayam said he replied to the Election Commission. His  supporters distributed 100-rupee notes during a Holi programme drawing charges of “bribing” voters. Sources said Mulayam  has replied  saying it wasn’t a political programme and that he is SP candidate from Mainpuri, not Etawah. He said the money was given to singers who  performed at his house. “A tradition that will continue,” he said. Asked about the electoral alliance with the Congress, he said: “It would be good if it happened but even if it doesn’t, we have a good understanding…” .