Mulayam befooling Muslims: Babbar

Lucknow, Nov 23 (UNI) Jan Morcha convenor Raj Babbar today alleged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav was using the minorities as vote bank ahead of the 2007 assembly elections.

Talking to reporters here, Babbar said the move by the state government to introduce reservation for backward Muslims could at best be termed as a pre-poll stunt.

''If he was genuinely concerned about the development of Muslims, he would have long back introduced 8.5 per cent reservation for the community on the lines of Mandal Commission recommendations.'' Babbar also charged the ruling party for hob-nobbing with the BJP in a bid to garner Muslim votes. ''He helped the BJP win seats in the just-concluded civic poll...this had scared the Muslims, which suits both the parties.'' He said Mr Yadav formed the present government in the state when BJP's Kesri Nath Tripathi was the speaker, as both the parties had entered into an unholy alliance to grab power.

''Even in the local bodies election held a few weeks back, the SP helped BJP wherever it found itself losing. Both the SP and BJP are colluding with each other to grab power and it will become clear in the coming assembly elections,'' said Babbar.

The cine star said a Jan Morcha delegation met Chief Election Commissioner and informed him that free and fair assembly elections were not possible with Mulayam Singh Yadav in power. Babbar said they told the EC the forthcoming elections should not be held under the dispensation of Mr Yadav.

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