August 29, 2003	Friday	Jumadi-us-Sani 30, 1424

LUCKNOW, Aug 28: The Congress party made inroads in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday by supporting a new socialist-led government after a coalition that included the Bharatiya Janata Party collapsed.

The governor of the northern state invited former defence minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, who heads the Samajwadi party, to form a new government.

Congress is supporting Mr Yadav and “is expected to get ministerial berths in the new government”, said a Samajwadi Party official.

With UP, Congress will hold power in 15 of India’s 28 states. The BJP rules only three states.

The Uttar Pradesh political crisis was triggered on Monday when Mayawati, who like many Indians uses only one name, offered to quit as chief minister over aborted plans for a shopping mall near the Taj Mahal.—AFP