In more bad news for the United Progressive Alliance, Congress lawmaker from Haryana Arvind Sharma on Friday attacked his party and the Manmohan Singh government for 'targeting' Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati and indicated that he may vote against the ruling coalition in the July 22 trust vote.
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Criticising the Congress for tying up with Samajwadi Party, the 45-year-old dentist-turned-lawmaker from Karnal said he was 'pained' at seeing the 'falling standards' of his party.
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"The government is succumbing to the pressure of Mulayam Singh and Amar Singh, which is not acceptable," Sharma told media persons in New Delhi.
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He said the government was using the Central Bureau of Investigation to target the 'popular Dalit leader' and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati at the behest of the SP leaders to remain in power.
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"We are witnessing worst days of political bargaining in the country's democratic history," Sharma, who is also member of the Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, said.
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In an indication of his closeness with Mayawati, Sharma said by targeting the UP Chief Minister, the Government has insulted the Dalits, minorities and people of Uttar Pradesh.
Asked whether his outburst against the party and the government was an indication that he may vote against the government on July 22, the Congress MP evaded a direct reply and said he was not leaving the party.
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Sharma said the people of his constituency are 'unhappy' with the decisions taken by his party leadership, which is forcing him to 'rethink' about his future course of action.
There were reports that BJP was trying to rope in some MPs from Congress in Karnataka on promise of tickets in the next Lok Sabha elections.
