After creating a political flutter by calling the Congress a party of cheats, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav said that the time was not ripe to withdraw support from the UPA government.
"Our support to the UPA will continue for the time being," Yadav told reporters here on Friday.
The statement came after Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh clarified that the UPA would complete its term "even if the SP withdraew support".
The volte-face might give Congress some breathing space but Mulayam has made it clear that he would continue breathing down the neck of UPA when he said that he had saved the government during bad times.
"The UPA government would have been sent packing long time back had the SP not supported it from outside. I know if the SP withdraws support, the UPA government will fall and the Congress will find an issue to garner sympathy," Yadav said.
"Congress betrays those who support them. DMK chief K Karunanidhi supported the UPA but the Union government sent her daughter and DMK ministers to jail. You can not trust Congress anymore," he said.
"The SP is supporting the UPA to keep communal forces out of power as we are committed to protect the secular fabric of the nation. We were the one who protect Babri Mosque. But, I know this Congress-led UPA Government is one of the most corrupt governments which has been rocked by scam after scam. The coalgate, loan waiver, AW helicopter purchase - all scams have been reported during the Congress regime." Yadav pointed out.
The SP boss said: "I am not afraid of anyone and therefore, I am speaking the truth. The Samajwadi Party is party of principles. I have not betrayed anyone and will not ditch anyone in future too." Yadav reiterated that the next lok Sabha polls will be held a tad early and the SP will go it alone in UP. "We do not need anyone in the state. The SP will get enough numbers that will help in bringing members of third front on one platform," he said and clarified: "Though the next government will be formed only with the help of the SP, I am not in the race of Prime Ministership."
Speaking on performance of Akhilesh Yadav government, Yadav said it is doing much better than other governments. The SP government has taken many pro-people steps. The law and order situation has improved and the state is marching on the path to progress," he stressed.
When asked about Congress projecting Rahul Gandhi as the next PM, Mulayam Singh Yadav said: "This shows the Congress mindset. The person who could not save the deposits of others, is being projected as the future PM."