|
Indian govt’s new coalition
partner
 The regional Samajwadi Party now holds the balance of power in
Indian politics after the withdrawal of the communist parties from
supporting the government in protest against a civilian nuclear deal
with the
United States. Here are some facts about the Samajwadi party:
●
After its formation in 1992, the party tried unsuccessfully for
years to gain national status by contesting parliamentary elections.
It has wooed film stars and counted a famous “bandit queen” among
its lawmakers.
●
The party is based in
Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state which is also famed for
being the most lawless and corrupt region in India. The SP relies on
votes from the Yadav caste and Muslims.
●
SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav is seen as a pragmatic and
pro-capitalist politician. He may be easier for the Congress-led
government to deal with and push for economic reforms than the
government’s previous allies — the communist parties.
●
Yadav is a former wrestler and defence minister who critics say runs
his party as a personal fiefdom. He was chief minister of Uttar
Pradesh three times and lost power last year due to increased
lawlessness in the state. He is being investigated by the Supreme
Court over corruption allegations.
●
It is unclear what the SP will demand from the government for in
return for its support. Local media and analysts say it is likely
they will ask for court probes into its members to be dropped, and
for the ruling Congress party to cede it seats in Uttar Pradesh in
the next election.
●
The Samajwadi Party (SP) has 39 members in parliament, compared with
59 seats of the communist parties. The government needs the SP and
five other seats, likely from small parties, to secure its
parliamentary majority.
9
July, 2008
|
Read Also
