Sunday, May 15 2005 15:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Stepping up offensive against the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government in the wake of her interrogation by CBI in a disproportionate assets case, BSP (Bahujan Samajwadi Party) supremo Mayawati today (May 15, 2005) said she had been authorised by her party to take a decision at an "appropriate" time on withdrawal of support to the coalition.

"The BSP central executive committee and State unit presidents have authorised me to take a decision on withdrawal of outside support to the UPA Government," Mayawati told reporters in New Delhi after a meeting of party leaders to review the performance of the UPA Government.

She said she had been authorised to take an "appropriate decision at an appropriate time".

Asked whether she would withdraw support to the UPA Government, Mayawati said, "We did not spare the NDA (National Democratic Alliance), how can we spare the Congress."

Accusing the Congress of failing to protect the interest of Dalits, Mayawati said, "After evaluating the performance of the Congress-led coalition Government, the party has to decide soon whether to continue outside support to the UPA."

She said the BSP had extended support to the UPA "as it felt it would protect the interest of Dalits and keep away communal forces from power."

"But, the Government has failed miserably on all these fronts," said Mayawati, who was questioned by the CBI recently in connection with a disproportionate assets case.

"Even today the reservation quota for Dalits is incomplete, all the posts reserved for them are yet to be filled," she said.