Mulayam moots 'offensive politics' against rivals

Lucknow, Mar 26: Under constant attack by Opposition parties, Uttar Pradesh chief Minister and Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav today mooted 'offensive politics' against rivals.

Addressing youth here who had gone to thank him for announcing Unemployment Allowance, Mr Yadav said now his party would not follow the route of defensive politics, but would counter the Opposition onslaught with its own offensive. He also asked the youth not to get boged down by the opposition's onslaught.

He said youth should not sit back but fan out to various places and inform people about the different people-oriented policies of the state government.

He also asked senior party functionaries to interact more frequently with the masses to inform them about the achievements of the ruling coalition.

A group of youth had marched to the SP's office and demanded a meeting with the Chief Minister to thank him for introducing Unemployment Allowance.

During his budget speech last month, Mr Yadav had announced that all graduate and post-graduate youths registered at employment exchanges till December 31, 2005 would be given a Rs 500 per month unemployment allowance. Later, the government had extended the date till February, 2006. The government had claimed that the money would be distributed shortly after appropriate paper work.

UNI