Cong is true guardian of minorities: Lalu

Udaypura, MP, Mar 6 (UNI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today claimed that the Congress is the sole party that is the ''true protector of minorities' interests'' and that was the reason why preparations are underway for ensuring minorities' development by implementing the Sachar Committee's recommendations.

''It is because of Congress President Sonia Gandhi that a minority community's representative Manmohan Singh occupies the Prime Minister's post,'' he said while addressing an election rally in this assembly constituency's Begumganj, in Raisen district, to drum up support for Congress nominee Sahib Singh Patel on the last day of canvassing for the March 8 bypoll.

Firing a broadside at the United Progressive Alliance Chairperson's critics, the Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo claimed that he had once described Ms Gandhi as India's ''bahu'' (daughter-in-law) and prophesied that she would one day be the Premier.

Among those present were Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Personnel Suresh Pachauri and other senior Congress leaders.

''There was no hurdle in Ms Gandhi's road to premiership but she presented an example of renunciation. The Congress has a history of dedication and sacrifice. The party played a key role in India's struggle for freedom and in nation-building,'' Mr Prasad added.

Training guns on the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Minister quipped that it should be rechristened the ''Bharat Jalao Party'' and alleged that the BJP wished to cling to power by resorting to communal politics as evidenced by the Gujarat riots and the recent incidents in different places of Madhya Pradesh.

''That party grabbed power at the Centre by playing the Hindutva and Ram temple cards. Madhya Pradesh is lagging far beyond on the power, roads and irrigation parameters. It is saddening that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his Cabinet colleagues never approach me for expanding rail facilities in this state. However, Mr Pachauri constantly urges me in this regard,'' Mr Prasad said.

UNI