Ex-servicemen form political party

Mumbai, Feb 21 (UNI) A group of ex-servicemen with mission to play a role in nation's development through political process, has formed a political party and are all set to contest the forthcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

The political outfit, War Veterans' Party, has been registered with the Election Commission of India and after the Uttar Pradesh elections, plans to contest all polls right from the grass root levels to Parliamentary elections.

The plans and programmes of the political outfit was launched here yesterday at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh amidst the presence of host of retired personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Addressing a news conference, Capt Lawrence Nathaniel, the founder-President of War Veterans' Party, said the new party will strive to infuse a fresh breath of ethics, ethos, integrity and discipline into the Indian political system by being a role model.

They also have plans to introduce a fitness regimen for youth to inculcate in them the ideals of nationalism and social service.

The party has a mission of bringing into its fold an estimated 20 lakh retired services personnel across the country. Added to this existing number is the annual turnout of 50,000 men retiring from defence services to eke out a living as worthy civilians, party president said.

''The party mainly comprises of retired personnel of the Army, Navy and Air force. These are the men who had dedicated the prime of their lives for India's greater glory and are now raring to serve the country after retirement,'' says Captain Nathaniel, adding that he also wants ''like-minded'' people to join the party.

''The men who stood like sentinels at the time of war, want to contribute their mite to the country during peace too. We are the survivors of wars, innumerable border clashes, insurgencies and skirmishes. Kargil is still fresh in our minds,'' he said, adding that the main purpose of forming the party is to serve the nation ''which he have done in the past and want to do now also.'' ''We will be fighting the elections and would start with Uttar Pradesh and our programme would be especially-formatted for safety and security of people, mainly senior citizens, women and children,'' the party preisdent said, who himself is a battle-hardened veteran.

Informing about the party plan , he said a national drive will be started to build a membership of two million by 2007-08, all forthcoming elections will be contested, programmes for safety and security of senior citizens, women and children will be denigned, rigorous fitness regimen for youth will be planned, campaign against communalism will be run besides deploying cadre to assist law and order machinery to ensure peace and harmony and assisting and supplementing national efforts in dealing with calamities such as earthquakes and cyclones will be in the forefront.

Citing the example of Capt Laxmi Sehgal of Indian National Army and of noted Gandhian and social worker Anna Hazare the party president said, ''We can have more Laxmi Sehgals and Anna Hazares.

We want to work for nation after retirement by participating in the political process.'' UNI