RLD-SP alliance after consulting party workers-Ajit Singh

Allahabad, Sep 17 (UNI) Rashtriya Lok Dal President Ajit Singh today welcomed the suggestion of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav for contesting the next state assembly election jointly but said he would take final decision after consulting his party workers.

''I welcome the suggestion of Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav but any electoral alliance with SP would be on principles and after consulting the party workers,'' he told nesmen here.

He said before making electoral alliance with any party the opinion of the leaders and workers and the assessment of the party's strength and vote bank, was a must.

To a query that RLD and the Congress, who claimed themselves to be secular parties, why they were not ready to make any electoral alliance, Mr Singh said there was still some difference in the thinking and working of both the parties.

Gone were the days when political parties used to garner votes by creating the fear of caste, religion and other things now people want development and availability of basic amenities including education, employment and source of livelihood, he pointed out.

Reiterating his party's demand for the formation of Harit Prant, the former Union Minister and the RLD chief said that without the formation of small states no development of any area was possible.

He said UP was such a big state that could not be managed from lucknow and people were unable to get in touch with ministers and government officers to get their grievances registered.

Favouring the small states, he said not only ''Harit Prant'' but demand for seperate Bundelkhand and Poorvanchal states was gaining momentum.

Advocating reservation for muslims in government jobs, Mr Singh said the literacy among the muslims was, however, the primary need.

Pointing out that development of the community was not possible without education, he suggested opening of more educational institutions for muslims.

UNI JL SB SK RAI1836