LJP to launch agitation in Maharashtra on reservations: Paswan

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Apr 13 (UNI) Union Minister of Chemicals, fertilizers and Steel Ram Vilas Paswan today said his Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) would soon launch an agitation in support of the party's demand for reservations to the backwards in the judiciary, educational institutions, private industries and implementation of the Sacchar Committee recommendations.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Paswan said exact date of the agitation would be declared soon after consulting party's state office bearers.

''There has been rapid privatisation of PSU units, and it has restricted the employment opportunities to the backwards,'' Mr Paswan said, adding the situation had now become imminent to make compulsory to the private sector to accept reservation policy in order to give justice to the backward classes.

The LJP chief has also demanded setting up an Indian Judicial Service (IJS) on the line of Indian Administrative Services (IAS) to offer reservations to the backward class candidates to enter into the judiciary.

Mr Paswan said setting up the IJS was mandatory as per article 312 of the Indian Constitution. However, the same was never implemented by the government.

The Minister said his party wanted to create mass awareness on the issues of reservations among the people of Maharashtra, which is known as a progressive state.

Replying to a question related to the outcome of the Uttar Pradesh Elections and the present political developments in the country's most largest state, Mr Paswan, predicted for an hung assembly.

However, Mr Paswan ruled out any impact of the UP elections on the UPA government's stability.

To a question, Mr Paswan criticised Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayavati's recent change of policies and bringing upper caste specially 'Bramhins', into her party fold.

Mr Paswan later inducted Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) leader Suresh Gaikwad, along with his several supporters, into the LJP at a function here today.

UNI