Lucknow, Mar 11 (UNI) The forthcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh would witness a battle of nerves between Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and former Chief Minister Mayawati to form the next government, and also to achieve the record set by Chandrabhan Gupta and Narain Dutt Tiwari for leading the government for four terms.

Popularly called the iron man of UP, late Chandrabhan Gupta became the Chief Minister of the state for the first time on September 7, 1960. When Congress returned to power in 1962, he was sworn in as the chief minister once again on March 14, 1962. On March 14, 1967, Congress formed a minority government, but it collapsed after the resignation of Chaudhury Charan Singh in April, 1967.

Gupta became the chief minister for the fourth time in 1969, but in 1970 the goivernment collapsed after he left Congress.

Similarly, Mr Narain Dutt Tiwari was the chief minister of Uttar for four terms -- first between January 1976 to April, 1977, then between August, 1984 to March, 1985. He became the chief minister for the third time on March 11, 1985 remained in power till November, 1985.

Mr Tiwari became chief minister Uttar Pradesh for the fourth time in June, 1988 and remained in office till December, 1989.

The present incumbent and Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav became the Chief Minister for the third time in August, 2003.

On two occasions previously he became the Chief Minister from December, 1989 to June, 1991 and from December, 1993 to June 1995.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national president and former Chief Minister Mayawati was in office between June, 1995 and October, 1995, then between March, 1997 and September, 1997. She became the Chief Minister for the third time in May, 2002. She continued in office till August, 2003.

UNI