Cong to play deciding role in UP govt formation: Tewari

Allahabad, Apr 28 (UNI) Senior Congress leader and former Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Narain Dutt Tewari today asserted his party would play a deciding role in the formation of next UP government.

''Congress will play a significant role in the formation of next UP government, since it will win a large number of seats in the state assembly election,'' Mr Tewari told UNI here.

On Congress' defeat in the last Uttarakhand poll, Mr Tewari said in real sense, there was a two party system. ''After testing our rule, people are going to test BJP. Congress' future is bright and would remain to be a major force in Indian politics,'' he said.

Asked about the industrial backwardness of UP, he said three things -- atmosphere of confidence, peace and infrastructure, including power and security -- must improve. ''Unfortunately, all these are lacking in UP.'' ''There has been a tremendous industrial development in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttarakhand, as we have been able to provide all these infrastructure to the industrialists,'' he claimed.

He said there was urgent need of establishment of a ''small Noida'' in every UP district. ''When I was in the industry ministry, I had issued one lakh licences in a record time of 60 days for opening up of new industries.'' The former CM cautioned the Mulayam Singh Yadav regime not to indulge in any kind of direct confrontation with UPA at the centre, otherwise, the development of the state might be hampered.

He also advised Mr Yadav to properly utilise funds being released by the centre and foster coordial relations with it.

''Instead of providing jobs to the unemployed, the UP government is befooling the youth by distributing unemployment allowance. I want to ask Mr Yadav for how many days they would depend on such allowance.'' UNI