Lalu exploits minorities for political gains: JD(U)

Patna, Sep 11 (UNI) The JD (U) today alleged that Railway Minister Lalu Prasad was only interested in the minority vote bank and did not do anyhting to improve their lot.

The party also claimed that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had taken several measures for the welfare of the minority section.

JD(U) minority cell chairman Mohammad Rejaullah told newspersons here that Mr Kumar had decided to provide compensation to the victims of Bhagalpur riots of 1989.

Soon after coming to power, the NDA government had constituted the Justice N N Singh Commission to inquire the Bhagalpur riots.

The Commission had recommended compensation for the victims on the pattern of that of the anti-Sikh riots after assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984, Mr Rejaullah claimed.

'' If the Centre agrees to pay compensation to the Bhagalpur riot victims on the pattern of that of the anti-Sikh riot victims of 1984, they would get Rs 3.5 lakh besides the earlier compensation paid to them, '' Mr Rejaullah said.

'' During the erstwhile Lalu-Rabri regime, attempts were made to protect the persons accused in the Bhagalpur riot case. However, Mr Kumar had ordered opening of those cases, closed without resolving the issue, '' he said adding the RJD had only exploited the minorities for their political gains.

UNI