Mulayam demands probe into Maya’s currency garlands

Accusing the Congress-led UPA Government of being “hand-in-glove” with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav demanded a probe be ordered into the currency garlands presented to UP Chief Minister Mayawati before April 12, when Parliament meets again after the recess.

“Mayawati was presented with another garland made of currency notes and the Centre is not taking action to find the source of the money. This clearly shows that that UPA and the BSP are hand in glove,” Mr. Yadav told reporters here.

He said a probe should be ordered into the source of the money and the amount spent by the State Government in the March 15 ‘maharally’ to celebrate 15 years of the BSP.

The BSP supremo had come under sharp attack inside and outside Parliament after the “multi crore” currency garland triggered an outrage, fuelling demands by the Opposition for a central probe into the source of money.

“I will raise the issue in Lok Sabha again if a probe is not ordered by April 12, when both the Houses meet again (after recess),” he said.

The SP supremo said the issue of “brazen display” of wealth by the BSP chief was raised by his party in Parliament.

“People expect a probe into the misuse of funds,” he said.

Yadav also dismissed claims from the BSP that the currency notes were collected through donation. “How can you collect crisp Rs. 1000 denomination notes only in donation. The source of the currency needs to be traced,” he said.

In a show of defiance ignoring all criticism, Mayawati was again garlanded with currency notes on Wednesday said to be of the value of Rs. 18 lakh.