Talking tough, SP says it will support no-confidence motion

Apparently unhappy over the Lokpal Bill, Samajwadi Party, which is an outside supporter of UPA, today said it would vote for a no-confidence motion against the government if it is taken up in Lok Sabha.

"..if the no-confidence motion is taken up (by the Lok Sabha), we will support it," a senior SP leader said.

However, the party with 22 MPs said it will not be a party to the notices given for no confidence motion.

Six Congress MPs from Seemandhra, along with TDP and YSR Congress, have given notices to Lok Sabha Speaker for no-confidence motion against the government as they are opposing division of Andhra Pradesh. The notice should be supported by 50 MPs before it is considered for vote.

"We will not support the notices for no-confidence motion (given by six Congress members, TDP and YSR Congress). But if the no-confidence motion is taken up (by the Lok Sabha), we will support it," the leader said.

SP leaders said the party will support the no-confidence motion as it is against creation of smaller states.

Party leaders confided that the party will have to take a tough stand against government if it pushes the Lokpal bill.

The SP is agitated as the government brought in the Rajya Sabha the Lokpal Bill which has been amended since it was passed in the Lok Sabha in December, 2011.

The party says it does not support the Lokpal bill in the present form as it will lead to a "police raj".

"For us, the issue of price rise is more important than Lokpal. As it is we do not support it in the present form. It will lead to a police raj where Lokpal will dictate terms," SP General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav told reporters here.

The SP disrupted proceedings in the Rajya Sabha demanding a discussion on price rise when the House was taking up the Lokpal Bill. The proceedings were adjourned for the day following disruptions.