Raj Babbar alleges over 1,000 starvation deaths in UP

Varanasi, Oct 14 (UNI) Alleging over 1,000 starvation deaths in Uttar Pradesh during the Mulayam Singh Yadav regime, Jan Morcha (JM) leader Raj Babbar today said the issue will be made a prime poll plank for Assembly elections due next year.

Interacting with newspersons, the suspended Samajwadi Party MP alleged over 1,000 starvation and poverty-bred disease deaths have occurred during the Mulayam regime.

''The Chief Minister is denying any starvation death in Uttar Pradesh, but only we know the truth, it will be made the prime poll issue during the Assembly elections,'' Mr Babbar added.

Actor-turned-politician further accused the SP-led government of cheating the youth through the Rs 500 monthly unemployement allowance. ''Instead of filling up five lakh vacant posts in the state government, the Chief Minister is cheating the unemployed youth by shelling out a token monthly allowance of Rs 500,'' Mr Babbar maintained.

Enumerating the poll promises of his party, Mr Babbar said if they are elected to power in thr state, a cabinet meeting will decide on six crucial issues within an hour of the new government being sworn in.

The six decisions will include provision of nine per cent and 10 per cent reservation to Muslims and economically weaker upper castes respectively in government jobs, he said.

Besides, clearance will also be given for 10 lakh government jobs, including the filling of five lakh posts lying vacantpresently. The policy of present government to acquire agricultural land in the name of development will also be rolled-back and outstanding loans of farmers and weavers will be waived off, he said.

Mr Babbar also said that a rally will be organised at Korauta in Varanasi on October 29, to be addressed among others by former Prime Minister V P Singh, CPI leader A B Bardhan and CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat.

Last night, JM's Dadri Mukti Sangram Yatra reached Varanasi.

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