New Delhi, July 5: After a week of hectic political activity in New Delhi, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh returned to Lucknow on Saturday, with the party clearly indicating that its 39 Lok Sabha MPs will vote in support of the Congress-led UPA Government in the eventuality of a trust vote as demanded by the BJP.

“At this juncture, the vote of confidence will be a trial of strength between the secular and non-secular forces in the country. In the eventual fight between the secular and non-secular forces, the Samajwadi Party will support the secular forces,” SP general secretary Amar Singh announced in the Capital, adding, “We are not supporting Soniaji or Manmohan Singhji, but we are supporting a national cause.”

The SP has called a meeting of its MPs on July 8 to instruct them to vote for “secular forces” in a trial of strength.

Singh also added that the Left was a secular force, and expressed hope that the Left parties would not side with the BJP in the event of a trial of strength.

“I don’t think that the Left parties will ever go with the BJP and BSP in opposing secular forces. My understanding is that communalism is a bigger threat than imperialism,” Singh said at his residence soon after Mulayam left for Lucknow. “Advani is a bigger threat than Bush, whose term is almost ending... When it comes to choosing between Advani and Manmohan Singhji, my party will always back Manmohan Singhji,” said Singh.

In an apparent attempt to assuage the Left’s feelings, after the SP’s decision to shore up the UPA Government, the SP leader said the Congress should refrain from using harsh words against the Left parties which had supported it for four years.

However, not all friends are willing to pardon the SP’s sudden U-turn on the nuclear deal citing “national interest”. The SP’s allies in the UNPA (United National Progressive Alliance), INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala and the AGP’s Brindaban Goswami, today criticised the turnaround.

“I am very surprised and sad at the stance taken by Mulayam Singh Yadav on the nuclear deal issue. The INLD will continue to oppose the nuclear deal,” said Chautala. He added that the SP’s stance did not affect the UNPA. “The remaining UNPA stays united like a solid rock.”

Goswami added that his party could not side with anyone having truck with the Congress. Incidentally, both the AGP and INLD were earlier a part of the opposition NDA.

If UNPA constituents are worried about regional political compulsions, the SP’s move is also guided by the rising tide of BSP supremo Mayawati. “It is desirable for both the Congress and SP to have some kind of seat adjustment to defeat the communal forces in the country,” AICC general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh Digvijay Singh said today.

SP leader Amar Singh was, however, not quite amused by UNPA constituents attacking the party for charting a separate course on the nuclear deal issue.

“I do not know why INLD leader Chautala, for whom I have great respect, is criticising us. Terming our position as opportunism is not in good taste,” Amar Singh said.