Lalu predicts fractured mandate in UP assembly poll

Lucknow, Apr 5 (UNI) Congress ally and railways minister Lalu Prasad today predicted a fractured mandate in the Uttar Pradesh assembly poll and claimed only a non-BJP and non-SP government will be formed.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Mr Yadav also demanded creation of a separate 'Purwanchal' state with its headquarters either in Varanasi or Gorakhpur.

Addressing a news conference here, he said the election train of Samajwadi Party in UP has 'derailed' and there was no way, it could return to power even after its ''secret alliance'' with BJP.

''...SP and BJP cannot return to power in UP. There is a possibility of an alliance regime by other parties,'' he said while refusing to disclose the names of other parties, who might form the next government.

RJD is contesting around 60 seats in the UP poll and supporting the Congress in rest of the constituencies. The party has announced candidates in 29 seats and rest will be declared soon.

In his critical comment on UP chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, the RJD leader joked, ''why is the SP leader afraid of going to jail for irregularities during his tenure? Jail is a political Gurudwara of politicians and I will be the first person to visit him with apples there.'' Commenting on the recent CD controversy of BJP, he noted that the party is known for its communal approach and now Election Commission should immediately derecognise the party and leaders involved in the controversy should be sent to jail.

Narrating in detail the achievements of the UPA government, he said Railways projects worth more than Rs 18,000 crore have been given to UP, while several new trains introduced in the last few months.

Claiming minorities have been ignored in the past 60 yrs of the independence, he said the Sacchar Committee report will be soon placed before the union cabinet for initiating programmes for the community.

On the failure of the central government to check price spiral of essential commodities, the RJD leader said, ''We are all concerned on the issue and all effective steps are being taken to control inflation.'' UNI