Arrogance may hurt Congress: Mulayam

New Delhi/Lucknow :  Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav warned Wednesday that the “arrogance” of the Congress was going to hurt it badly.

Speaking to reporters a day after the Trinamool Congress said it was pulling out of United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Mulayam Singh said that the government should be wise as there was pressure on the common man due to the hike in diesel prices.

“The government’s stubborn behaviour will do it no good. Congress will become weaker because of it,” he said.

Speaking to IANS on telephone, the Samajwadi Party chief urged the Congress to look into the issues raised by the allies and supporting parties.

The time has come for the Congress-led UPA to get its act together, he said,

“Ab Congress ki akal theek ho jaani chahiye” (It’s high time the Congress learnt its lessons), he said.

“The Congress should introspect what it has given to farmers and people of the country.”

Asked if Congress leaders were in contact with his party after the Trinamool move, Mulayam Singh said: “Rajneeti mein to baat cheet to chalti rahti hai.” (In politics, discussions and dialogue continue).

Mulayam Singh said a final call on continuing support to the UPA will be taken after the Samajwadi Party Parliamentary Board meets Thursday.

He said his party would go ahead with the Thursday protests planned against allowing foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail and the hike in diesel prices.

Samajwadi Party’s support to the UPA has become crucial after the Trinamool Congress decision to pull out of the government. The Samajwadi Party has 22 MPs in the Lok Sabha and provides outside support to the government.

The Trinamool Congress decision to pull out has brought the UPA’s own strength in the Lok Sabha below the half-way mark.