Concerted efforts needed to fight evil designs of BJP: UPA allies

New Delhi, Mar 21 (UNI) UPA allies and the supporting Left parties tonight stressed the need for concerted efforts to fight the BJP and its mechanism, which was aimed at weakening the country's democracy.

The allied parties, which gathered at the customary dinner hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his residence, were of the strong opinion that there was a greater need for the secular parties to unite to prevent the BJP from ''hijacking Parliament'' for its narrow political agenda.

Senior Left leaders told UNI after the 75-minute meeting at 7, Race Course Road that even though there was no official agenda or structured discussion at the dinner, it provided an opportunity for the UPA allies to share their opinion that the BJP has to be fought unitedly.

CPI leaders A B Bardhan and D Raja quoted External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee as saying that the BJP should not be allowed to carry on with its tactics to weaken the ''august institution of Parliament''.

They said Railway Minister Lalu Prasad while endorsing Mr Mukherjee's assertion had stated, ''We must fight the BJP.'' The Left leaders said the participants at the dinner were equally concerned over the price rise that was affecting the vast populace of the country and steps should be taken to control the prices.

Forward Bloc leader Debabrata Biswas said the dinner meeting was essentially a customary one even as the participants got the chance to talk to each other on important issues.

The participants also made a case for the reservation for the Dalits in various fields.

UNI