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No threat to me or my government, says Kalyan Singh

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh on Monday denied that there was any threat to his leadership in the state.

Talking to the media in Lucknow, the Bharatiya Janata Party leader categorically denied any move against him. ''I am unaware of any such dissident activity,'' he said.

Asked specifically about a report that more than 30 legislators were in Delhi to meet the party high command for his removal, Kalyan Singh replied: ''Everyday several persons go to Delhi. There is nothing significant about it even if it is true.''

Senior party leader and Minister Kalraj Misra also expressed ignorance about dissident activities. ''The party's central leadership would intervene if a section of our leaders have some grievances,'' was all he would say.

While admitting that ''such activities, if any'' were not good for the party or the government, he said the matter should be resolved as early as possible.

Lalji Tandon, another senior minister, aired almost the same views, saying that the Centre should look into ''why such dissidence crops up every now and then.''

Both leaders refused to comment on the episode in which Minister for Family Welfare Devendra Singh 'Bholey' tendered his resignation on the floor of the House on March 31, accusing the chief minister of being ''vindictive and morally and monetarily corrupt.''

The political activities in the state had come to a boil following Devendra Singh's resignation.

For his part, Kalyan Singh termed the allegations as ''baseless."

Earlier, Neeraj Chaturvedi, the BJP legislator from Kanpur, had said that about 30 legislators would be meeting the party leadership in Delhi. ''All the members have complaints against the chief minister,'' he said.

The dissidents were not available for comment.

UNI

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