Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has supported the Food Security Bill, providing some relief to the UPA government, which is likely to table the bill in the monsoon session of Parliament amid stiff opposition.

“I support the legislation in principle. People should get food at a cheap price,” said the former chief minister in Lucknow recently.

However, Mayawati objected to the Centre’s decision to implement the scheme through an ordinance. “The ordinance has been brought in a hurry. It should have been discussed in Parliament and there would have been a consensus over it.”

The BSP supremo said that few years back, the Supreme Court observed that large quantity of grain was rotting in go-downs while people were dying due to hunger.

The court had directed the central government to devise a system under which people could get food at a cheap rate.

Mayawati accused the UPA government as it remained silent on the issue for two years and as the Lok Sabha election was drawing close, it has launched an exercise to provide food to all, she said.

Samajwadi Party national president Mulayam Singh Yadav whose support is very crucial has been saying that his party was opposed to the Food Protection bill in present form.

UPA government is more concerned about the role of Mulayam Singh Yadav and his party during forthcoming monsoon session. There is realisation in UPA that Mulayam’s support for not only the Food protection bill but other laws for pensions and insurances was very crucial.

That is why attempts are being made to provide relief to Mulayam Singh Yadav and his family in DA cases pending in the Supreme Court.

The political observers feel that if Mulayam Singh Yadav is convinced about the relief in DA cases, then he could provide much need support in the food protection bill and other important amendments in laws.

So, the role of Mulayam Singh Yadav and his party during monsoon session of Parliament would be guided by the relief he gets in DA cases. (IPA)