By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net
Lucknow: Before most of the MLAs could have adjusted themselves to get more comfortable in the chairs, the UP assembly was adjourned sine die on Monday. Within the 16 minutes of business it passed the vote on account budget amounting to Rs 54762 crores and the important proposal for the division of UP in four parts.
The proceedings of the house have far reaching political implications. Firstly, it reaffirmed the iron grip of Chief Minister Mayawati over her party and administration. She succeeded in doing what she had planned. Secondly, the chinks in the armor of opposition were evident with both Samajwadi Party(SP) and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) failing to extract any mileage from the shortest session of the assembly.
The proceedings also brought Congress in a catch 22 situation with the ball in its court for the division of state into four parts. Technically, the proposal has been passed by sound vote by UP assembly.
The SP, though, got another arm in its arsenal by shouting that the proceedings are illegal and unconstitutional. Leader of Opposition, Shivpal Yadav even met state governor BL Joshi urging him to expunge Monday’s proceedings and convene the house under his supervision. BJP too joined with its leader stating in a memorandum urging the governor to disapprove the proceedings.
CM Mayawati however sat comfortably and even addressed media persons after the house. “My government has full majority and that’s why the proposal and vote on account were passed easily. Opposition is only spreading canard and our government is sincerely engaged in public welfare schemes,” she said.
Experts opine that the vote on account gives the Mayawati government, leverage as its expenses for the four months have been approved. The division of UP in four parts also hold political significance as it will slowly emerge as an issue during the coming assembly elections.