PTI

Etawah, Feb 10: Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday said assembly election in Uttar Pradesh could be announced by February 20.

"It is the fear of the judiciary that foiled attempts to dismiss the state government and now political parties are deliberating over (Uttar Pradesh) going to polls which could be announced by February 20," he said after laying the foundation stone for 'Advocates Bhawan' here.

Yadav said "though Parliament has the right to formulate new laws and amend the existing ones, it cannot change the basic ethos of the Constitution. Due to this dismissal of a government on the report of a Governor is not easy."

Stressing the importance of judiciary, the Chief Minister said it is because of the judiciary that democracy is alive in the country.

Alleging that all political parties had "ganged up to uproot" his government, he said Congress and BJP have a "tacit understanding" between them and people should be made aware of it.

He claimed that passions were being ignited over minor incidents and the state government would deal with it sternly.

Stating that farmers in prosperous states like Maharashtra, where a special package has also been provided, were committing suicide, he said there had been no such case in Uttar Pradesh where their interests have been safeguarded.