New Delhi: A special package of Rs 18,230 crore for Uttar Pradesh was demanded by Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav during a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (July 12,2004). Yadav told reporters after the 30-minute meeting that he was confident the Prime Minister would give serious consideration to the demand and would "not neglect Uttar Pradesh".

The meeting took place a few days after Bihar, ruled by RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), a key constituent of the ruling UPA (United Progressive Alliance), was granted a package in the Union Budget 2004-05 ahead of the Assembly elections in the State, raising protests from the Samajwadi Party for denial of similar package to UP.

"I have no problem over the central package to Bihar. If Bihar is given more, I will be happy. But I want Uttar Pradesh should not be neglected," Yadav, who was accompanied by SP (Samajwadi party) General Secretary Amar Singh at the meeting, said.