Despite Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav’s repeated provocations; the Congress is showing unusual restraint to avoid creating problem for the UPA Government, whose survival depends on 22MPs of the SP.
Asked about Mulayam’s statement calling Congress as cheats and clever who take people for ride, Congress spokesman Rashid Alvi said on Thursday that it is SP leader’s personal opinion and he is free to say whatever he wants.
Alvi, however, reminded that same Mulayam had not only shared dais with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi few months back, but had even held close to his chest the UPA government’s achievements listed in its Report Card after completion of three years in power.
He wondered the reason behind this sudden change in Mulayam’s stand. He has suddenly started praising NDA government and its leader l K Advani despite post-Godhra riots and Babri Masjid demolition incidents, he said.
“However, we respect Mulayam Singh and don’t want to comment on him,” Alvi said indicating that the party wants to avoid another controversy like Beni Prasad Verma, who had to express regret for criticising Mulayam.