Lucknow, October 24
In a fast paced political development, the Samajwadi Party today started confabulations with BJP rebels and independent legislators today. National general secretary of the party Amar Singh met Independent legislators and a section of BJP rebels at the residence of a former minister, Mr Raja Bhaiyaa on the occasion of his daughter’s birthday party.

Speculation was rife that the SP leader has asked them to join his party to topple the Mayawati government.

But Mr Amar Singh said, “Hamara dar khula hai khula hi rahega unke liye”. (We are ready to accept them).

This activity has caused anxiety among BJP leaders. State president of the BJP Vinay Katiyar said the SP was trying to create a wedge in the party.

In an attempt to salvage the situation, the national general secretary of the BJP, Mr Rajnath Singh, reached the state capital and held a meeting with senior party leaders at the residence of in charge of UP affairs Kalraj Mishra. He will also have a round of meeting with BJP rebels.

NEW DELHI (TNS): The central BJP leadership today warned rebel legislators in Uttar Pradesh of action if “they do not fall in line” and wished that the crisis would blow over.

“The state unit of the BJP has been dealing with the issue to our satisfaction. We do hope it would be resolved very soon. State party Chief Vinay Katiyar is orally in touch with party President Venkaiah Naidu,” BJP spokesman and general secretary Arun Jaitley told newspersons here.

He said Mr Katiyar was “optimistic” that the issue would be blown over but said, “action would be inevitable against those who do not fall in line.”

Sources said that disciplinary action is awaited against at least two rebels — MLC Ramashish Rai and former minister and veteran leader Ganga Bhakt Singh.