UNI

Bangalore, Jun 26 : Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday predicted mid-term polls to the Lok Sabha, saying that differences of opinion among the ruling coalition partners at the Centre would pave the way for it.

Addressing a public meeting here, she said the constituents of the ruling Congress-led United Progressive Alliance were dissatisfied with the hike in oil prices and the Office of Profit Bill and ''thinking of withdrawing support to the government.'' Ms Mayawati said the UPA government would not complete its full term.

On the reservation issue, she alleged that both the Congress and the BJP were not interested in providing reservation to SC, ST and OBCs.

She claimed that a Bill facilitating 27 per cent reservation to OBCs in higher education had been passed in Parliament in 1993 itself, but the Congress had modified and passed it to woo the OBC voters.

Stating that BSP would go it alone in the coming elections to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, she exuded confidence that her party would secure a clear majority and return to power.

Earlier in the day, BSP office-bearers from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Pondicherry attended the State Committee Meeting held under the chairmanship of Mayawati.