Will AkhileshYadav , Mayawati attend Congress CMs’ swearing-in?

LUCKNOW: Suspense looms large over the decision by two state satraps SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati on attending the swearing-in ceremonies of Congress’ new chief ministers in three states—Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

Both Akhilesh and Mayawati had attended the swearing-in ceremony of Karnataka’s JD (Secular) chief minister in Bangalore, where a big show of Opposition unity was on display.

Despite having extended unsolicited unconditional support to the Congress to form government in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, both leaders may stay away from the Congress show as a pressure building exercise.

A big question mark still remains over whether the two former chief ministers attend will despite being invited by the Congress high command and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu contacting anti-BJP chief ministers and key leaders to ensure their presence.

Sources in the Congress revealed to TOI that Congress general secretary Ahmed Patel had invited Akhilesh and Mayawati over phone, but a formal invitation has not been delivered to them yet.

Both the parties are agitated with the Congress leadership due to the manner in which the grand old party had refused an electoral alliance with them. Later, they supported the Congress immediately after the Assembly results.

Now their relationship with the Congress would be tested when they either accept the invitation and join the function or send their representatives to attend.

When TOI contacted Akhilesh, he said he would decide only after he receives an invitation.

SP has one MLA in Madhya Pradesh while BSP has two there and five in Rajasthan.