Mulayam gets the message

The day Samajwadi Parliamentary Party meeting was convened in the morning, news broke out about the CBI raids on the residence of DMK supremo M K Stalin's residence in Chennai. The SP Parliamentary Party meeting was expected to take the call on the regret publicly expressed by Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma over his remarks against SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav. The previous day, when Congress president Sonia Gandhi offered her apology on behalf Beni Prasad Verma, Mulayam Singh refused to relent, claiming that the SP Parliamentary Party the following day will decide on the issue. As news of the CBI raids broke out, the SP Parliamentary Party decided not to escalate the issue and instead authorised Mulayam Singh Yadav to decide on the issue. Apparently rattled over the development, Mulayam Singh allowed the Rajya Sabha to function to complete its essential work like returning the Appropriation Bill and passage of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2013 amending the anti-rape laws. The Opposition BJP and Left were quick to react, saying the CBI raids on Stalin's decision was actually meant to signal to the UPA Allies extending outside support to the government: Fall in line, or face the music!