“There was some confusion in the public mindset because of certain political differences between the UPA and the Samajwadi Party during the last Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. To clear those doubts, we have met the President to reiterate the support of Samajwadi Party in favour of UPA government,” SP General Secretary Amar Singh told reporters after handing over the letter to Patil.

Samajwadi MP Ram Gopal Verma accompanied Amar Singh to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

“We have reiterated our earlier stand and support which were given in favour of the Congress-led UPA Government,” Singh said.

Asked whether the list of names given to the President had names of all the 39 Samajwadi MPs, he said, “Names of parliamentarians, who fought under the SP symbol are there in the letter and they are bound by the party whip.” Singh said rebel Samajwadi MPs Beni Prasad Verma and Atiq Ahmed have also promised their support.

“I just spoke to Beni Prasad Yadav and he has expressed his support as well as that of Atiq Ahmed,” he added.