Dr Joshi uses CD's contents in UP election meetings

Noorpur, Uttar Pradesh, Apr 11 (UNI) The BJP may be embroiled in a tussle with the EC on the controversial CD issue but senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi is seeking to make UP Assembly elections a virtual referendum by asking the electorate if they agreed with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's views that the first claim over the country's resources should go to Muslims.

Addressing a poll rally in this village at the birthplace of late former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, the BJP leader used the contents of the controversial CD by posing questions after questions.

''Our understanding is that mineral resources, water and exchequer are all the country's resources. Should the first right over these go to the poor people of all communities or just to Muslims? For us, cow is mother. Should we allow it to be slaughtered?'' The audience in this small sugar bowl of Hapur responded by saying out loudly - ''No, No.'' ''Provide us the mandate in UP and we will upturn the government in Delhi. We will liberate the farmers from the clutches of loans and make India a hunger-free country,'' the senior BJP leader promised.

Raising the issue of terrorists striking at will various places across the country from Mumbai to Bangalore, Varanasi to Akshardham and not even sparing Parliament, Dr Joshi said all these attacks were aimed against India, its democracy and existence.

''Look at what has happened to Afzal who was sentenced to death by Supreme Court. The UPA Government had not taken a decision on the hanging of this convict just for the sake of elections in UP,'' he alleged. This was in sharp contrast to the convict of Gen Vaidya's killing whose mercy petition was decided in nine hours, he said.

Alleging that Uttar Pradesh government headed by Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav had withdrawn cases against 150 SIMI activists of the banned outfit just to please his vote bank, he asked the electorate, ''Is this fair?'' More UNI MCN PK DS1641