TNI Bureau: A day after Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav dared the Centre over diesel price hike and FDI in retail during a day-long bandh, he extended his support to the Congress-led UPA government to keep the communal forces away.

However, he made it clear that the Samajwadi Party is not joining the government, but the party will continue to provide external support to the ruling UPA coalition to save the nation from mid-trm polls and keep communal forces away from power, indicating the BJP and its alliances.

Mulayam provided the temporary relief to Congress, which is struggling to save the sinking boat after Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress quit the government over Centre’s decision on diesel price hike, cap on LPG cylinders and FDI in retail.

However, he hinted at the formation of a Third Front group, which will have the members of non-Congress and non-BJP and contest polls in 2014. He ruled out early elections in the country.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee stayed firm on her demand saying there is no chance of giving support to the government till the rollback in diesel price hike, and FDI in retail.

Her 6 ministers will submit their resignation letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today.

The TMC’s withdrawal put the Congress in a trouble as the Congress needs 271 MPs in the Lok Sabha to remain in power. After TMC’s exit, UPA has now 254. Mulayam has 22 in Lok Sabha and Mayawati’s support will save the party for temporary period. The consent from them indicated that they are with the UPA II even though both are against diesel price hike and FDI in retail.