LJP will become axis of politics in UP: Paswan

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Apr 16: Lok Janshakti Party President Ram Vilas Paswan has said his party will become the ''axis of politics in Uttar Pradesh'' by consolidating Dalit Muslim votes in the Assembly polls in the state next year.

Mr Paswan told UNI that the Dalits are disappointed with the BSP as Ms Mayawati is trying to 'woo' people from the upper castes while the minorities have lost faith in Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party and are looking for alternatives.

The LJP would work for meeting the aspirations of people of both these communities to gain their support, he said.

Mr Paswan, Minsiter for Chemicals&Fertlizers and Steel, is holding 'Dalit-Muslim Ekta' rallies in various parts of Uttar Pradesh starting from Delhi's Talkatora Stadium in the next couple of months. The first rally would be held at Maou, the birth place of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, he said.

''These rallies would not only counter BJP's rath yatra but also work as a ray of hope for the Dalit and minority community,'' he said.

Stating that his party would contest in 400 seats in Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, he said it would emerge as the central axis in the state similar to that in Bihar where none of the party could form government without his support.

''The LJP would favour a Muslim Chief Minister in Uttar Pradesh where there has been no minority chief minister till now eventhough the state has over three crore Muslims, Mr Paswan said.

Stressing the need for promoting the rights of minorities, Mr Paswan said their population is mostly on the border areas whether it be Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir, Buddhists in Leh, Christians in North East and Sikhs in Punjab.

''If in such a scenario they are made to feel insecure by telling them repeatedly that they are second class citizens of this country, it would be counter productive. If we have to strengthen the country, no community should be made feel insecure,'' Mr Paswan noted.

The LJP would also demand that Tibetan Spiritual leader Dalai Lama and his followers, who have been staying in India for over three decades, be granted Indian citizenship, he said.

Similarly, Bangladesh Muslims who have entered the country upto year 2000 be given citizenship and not harassed by adopting a humanitarian approach, he added.

UNI

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