Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav is blowing hot and cold yet again. Another matter though that his frequent outbursts against the Congress are hardly taken seriously in political circles. This is because it is an oft-repeated practice aimed at realising his political ambition. People can now see through the design of his dual stance — that of extending support to the UPA-II and, at the same time, criticising the Congress.

No wonder the BJP recently said that Mulayam should make his stand clear of either supporting the UPA-II or implementing his threat to withdraw support.

And what is the reason for Mulayam wanting to withdraw supportIJ The Manmohan Singh Government’s proposal to give a special package to the the Nitish Kumar Government in Bihar has precipitated the SP chief’s plans. Political circles are of the view that the SP leader’s arm-twisting has a definite purpose to it — ensuring that his son Akhilesh Yadav’s Government is also given a special package at par with Bihar.

This will go in a long way in carrying forward the development programmes of the Uttar Pradesh Government. Mulayam will, under no circumstances, allow the Centre to give any special favour to his political rival Nitish Kumar.

As far as the UPA-II Government is concerned, Congress president Sonia Gandhi wants to keep the Janata Dal (United) on its side in case UPA-II faces a crisis on SP’s support withdrawal. The Congress is well aware of the Mulayam-lalu understanding and will, therefore, not like to upset this equation.

More importantly, Mulayam being a seasoned politician, can foresee that this will largely contribute in furthering his political designs for the 2014 lok Sabha elections. The SP has already directed all its partymen to go to their respective constituencies and start working so that the party meets its targeted number of seats.

Moreover, the SP chief knows that this is the best time to cash in on the UP Government’s achievements as Akhilesh has just completed its one year in office. As such, the SP wants a mid-term lok Sabha election. It needs to encash on its work as the anti-establishment factor is catching up.

The Opposition is already making an issue of the deteriorating law and order situation in the State. Also, the SP and the Congress happen to share the same votebank. So the SP has to corner UPA-II in an attempt to keep its vote base intact.

The fact that Mulayam has his sight set on the Centre is amply clear. If he can’t be king, he would like to be kingmaker. So, he has set the ball rolling. The people are keeping their fingers crossed as shadow boxing with the Congress continues.

Poll mode

The BJP is pulling up its garters to get ready for the 2014 lok Sabha elections. So it is not surprising that just anyone who is someone in the State BJP unit is pulling strings to get a place in national party president Rajnath Singh’s committee.

Obviously, UP will play a major role in the polls. While the SP and the BSP are way ahead as far as poll preparations are concerned, the BJP is making an effort to keep pace with regional parties. Political analysts say that the SP and BSP will be the main opponents of the Congress in the General Election.

Meanwhile, the BSP which had already selected its candidates has given directives that its Bhaichara committees should be revived. These had been dissolved after the Vidhan Sabha elections. The sole purpose of these committees is to galvanise upper caste votes. Political circles remember how BSP’s  Brahmin face Satish Chandra Mishra had played an important role in the success of the party.

People from all sections, including the upper caste, had voted the BSP to power in the Vidhan Sabha elections in the past. The party had sprung a surprise on everyone and had come to power with a thumping majority. But as the other parties are getting into the poll mode, people are wondering whether the Congress will regain its lost place.

last chance

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has tightened the noose on the State’s bureaucracy and police department. The laxity of officers during the last year has already tarnished the image of the ruling SP Government.

Now, the Chief Minister has said that he will no longer tolerate any indiscipline in the bureaucratic set-up, irrespective of their positions. It needs to be seen whether the officers will act and assist in improving the image of the Government.

Political circles feel that the SP graph is going down steadily. By the time the 2014 lok Sabha polls are held, the people will have become totally disenchanted with SP’s performance.

But for now, the public has given Akhilesh his last chance to improve. So, wait and watch.