The CPI(M) today strongly rejected the Congress proposal to dismiss the Mulayam Singh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh in light of the February 14 Supreme Court verdict and maintained that President’s Rule can only be imposed if the SP-led government loses its majority on the floor of the House.

This categorical stand was conveyed by CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat to Union External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today. Other senior Congress leaders were also present at the meeting. Late tonight, Mukherjee briefed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi on his meetings with the allies.

Trying to pre-empt a dismissal, Mulayam issued an official statement on Friday night which said he would prove his majority on the floor of the state Assembly on February 26.

The Congress leadership, which had been debating the UP situation following the SC verdict disqualifying the BSP MLAs who had defected to the Samajwadi Party in August 2003, decided last night to fully back the UPCC’s demand that the Mulayam regime be dismissed. Following the decision, top Congress leaders were entrusted with the task of convincing allies before going ahead with President’s Rule. The meeting with Karat today was part of the exercise.

The Congress could still press for the decision, but given the opposition of the CPI(M) as well as differences within about the political fallout of President’s Rule, this may prove difficult, sources said. Earlier in the day, senior Congress leaders and ministers, Shivraj Patil, P Chidambaram, A K Antony, Kapil Sibal, Ahmad Patel and H R Bhardwaj met at Pranab Mukherjee’s residence. Congress sources involved with the developments told The Indian Express that “consultations are on,” and the CPI (M)’s opposition is the only factor that may help Mulayam.

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