Rebel SP parliamentarian claims more desertions in the pipeline

As the race to save the government tightens, three Samajwadi Party members of Parliament, who had rebelled to join ranks with the Bahujan Samaj Party, met its supremo Mayawati and claimed more SP lawmakers were set to desert the party.

Rebel SP member of Parliament Munawar Hasan claimed that a total of 10 SP Lok Sabha members were set to desert the party and vote against the government during the July 22 trial of strength.

"Under Mayawati's leadership, we will defeat the government," Hasan told media-persons after meeting the Uttar Pradesh chief minister.

"The prime minister should tender his resignation before the trust vote. We are 100 per cent sure that we will defeat the government in the trust vote. You will be surprised to see who will vote against the government," Hasan said.

Hasan, along two other rebel MPs Raj Narain Budholiya and Jai Prakash Rawat, met Mayawati on Sunday morning.