RPI demands reservation for backward Muslims in UP

Lucknow, Aug 18 (UNI) Republican Party of India (Athawale) has demanded reservation for backwards among Muslims and other minorities in all the sectors and to stop harrassment of the Dalits in Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing a state level workers meeting here today, party president Ramdas Athawale said there is a big challenge before the Mayawati government to uplift the economic and social status of the dalits and backwards.

Welcoming the Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP) government in the state, he said they will now have to fulfill the promises made to the people during the elections.

''It is for the BSP government to work for the people while we will do our work to create awarness among the Dalits and backwards about their rights'', he said.

Demanding transparency in different government sponsored projects in the state, Mr Athawale alleged that the schemes like Mid-Day Meal for school children, National Rural Employment Gurantee Scheme (NREGS), distribution of foodgrains to the Below Poverty Line(BPL) families and other developmental programmes have failed in the state due to corruption.

UNI