Lucknow: In a major victory for ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)-BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) alliance in Uttar Pradesh, the Opposition parties led by Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress on March 3 unanimously decided to withdraw the no-confidence notices moved against Assembly Speaker Kesri Nath Tripathi, apparently sensing defeat in number-game.

The Opposition parties met this morning and after long deliberations decided not to press on the no-confidence motion against Tripathi which was to have come up for discussion in the House on March 4, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Mohd Azam Khan told reporters.

"We will give it in writing to the secretary of the Assembly secretariat," he said.

"SP has no personal grudge against Tripathi and we honour the dignity of this Constitutional post," Khan said.

He said the Opposition decision followed an appeal by Rashtriya Kranti Party chief and former Chief Minister Kalyan Singh who asked SP to withdraw the notice.

Samajwadi Party and Congress had separately moved a no-confidence motion against the Speaker saying they had lost faith in him after he recognised a split in Congress.

The change in the Opposition stand came apparently after seven independent MLAs recently gave in writing that they would support Mayawati government on the floor of the House if a no-confidence motion is taken up.

In the 403-member House, the ruling coalition has the support of 226 (BSP 108, BJP 87, RLD 14, independents 11).

The Mayawati government had secured 217 votes in its favour during the confidence motion won by it in the last session of the Assembly.

PTI