Mayawati may turn kingmaker with 2 MLAs in Uttarakhand

By Sanjay Singh
DEHRADUN: BSP supremo Mayawati has emerged as a crucial factor with the potential to tilt the scales either way in the high stakes BJP-Congress political battle for Uttarakhand. It’s relatively simple: She has two MLAs, who until now were connected with the Progressive Democratic Front which with its three independents and one member from the UKD were supporting the Harish Rawat government.To cushion himself from rebels, Rawat had given cabinet berths to these three independents.
In the changed scenario, the two BSP MLAs Haridas and Sarbat Karim Ansari have broken away and even set tongues wagging by not turning up at a Congress lunch on March 22. This front among the Independents has also turned into bit of a namesake amid reach out from both parties. The BSP MLAs, including Haridas, who is under suspension for anti-party activities, now say they have left it to Mayawati to take the call.
“We will go by the decision of Behanji,” Haridas, told ET. Ansari was equally clear: “I am waiting for the direction of my leadership.”
Now, how does this fit in with the numbers? In a house of 71, there were 36 Congress MLAs of which nine have been disqualified but the HC is hearing their appeal. Their absence brings Congress down to 27 but their disqualification would also bring the Assembly size down to 62, bringing the hallway mark to 31. This would be down to 30 if the Speaker is excluded. In such a scenario, if Rawat gets the support of two BSP MLAs, he is just one short of the halfway mark for which he can count on an independent or two.
On the other side, BJP has 28 MLAs. If the two BSP MLAs swing their way, then the scales evidently tilt in favour of BJP. And if they abstain, the halfway mark further comes down, giving both sides lesser numbers to fill.