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Mulayam rules out mid-term polls; says SP will back UPA

In a major relief to Dr Manmohan Singh-led government, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday ruled out the possibility of mid-term polls, adding that his party will support the United Progressive Alliance government as of now.

"What is our party's role in holding mid-term polls? The decision for holding mid-term polls lies in the hands of the prime minister. You should ask him about it," he said.

"But Third Front could have emerged as a major force if the mid-term polls were to be held," he noted while speaking to mediapersons waiting at his residence in New Delhi.

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'Will continue our fight against FDI in retail'

'Netaji' also made it clear that he would not support 'communal' Bhartiya Janata Party. "We are supporting the Congress government as of now," he said.

"While we support the government we will continue to fight against FDI in retail and raise our voice against it both in Parliament and outside," he said.

When asked isn't Dr Singh's government in minority, Mulayam quipped, "Let the House decide whether the government is in majority or in minority".

During Thursday's Bharat Bandh, the SP chief had refsed to share dais with BPJ president Ninin Gadkari at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. He held his separate demonstration against FDI alongwith Left leaders and TDP.

"If foreign retails giants come to India, over 5 crore people will lose their jobs," he emphasised.

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