Mulayam govt recommends convening of session on Jan 18

A day after shedding a confrontationist course with the governor, Uttar Pradesh government today recommended convening of a joint session of the state legislature on January 18 for a possible show of strength after Ajit Singh-led RLD pulled out its ministers.

Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, who chaired a meeting of the cabinet, met Governor T V Rajeshwar and conveyed to him its recommendation for convening a joint sitting of the state legislature.

The governor has readily accepted the invitation to address the joint session of the state legislature on January 18 next, he told reporters here after the meeting. He said the talks were held in a cordial atmosphere.

The CM and the governor are not on best terms and the cabinet's decision earlier this week for convening a special session on January 15 was negatived by the Raj Bhavan.

The state government initially adopted a defiant posture reiterating its decision, but yesterday backtracked and accepted Rajeshwar's decision to prorogue the House after the winter session.

Though there was no official word on the business for the session, political sources feel the CM may utilise the session to prove his majority on the floor of the House.

Incidentally, state Advocate General S MA Kazmi was also seen entering the Raj Bhavan ten minutes after Yadav reached there.

Though it could not be immediately ascertained as to why Kazmi rushed there, sources claimed that he was summoned to tender legal advice on some issues pertaining to the convening of the legislature.

The meeting of the state cabinet, which was the fifth during the last three days, is understood to have discussed the present political scenario, sources said.