V P Singh opens front against Noida-Ballia Ganga Expressway

Lucknow, Nov 19 (UNI) Former prime minister and founder of Jan Morcha, a farmers' organistion, Vishwanath Pratap Singh today announced to launch agitation against acquisition of farm land by the Uttar Pradesh government from Noida to Ballia for the proposed Ganga Expressway.

''Jan Morcha will launch agitation with the support of the farmers to prevent the government acquire fertile land for handing it over to private promoters for the 900-km long expressway,'' he said.

Addressing a news conference here, Mr Singh said the agitation would be on the lines of Dadri movement and he himself will travel from Noida to Ballia to hear the problems of the farmers.

''We will only accept any acquisition on the term and condition of the farmers,'' he maintained.

Supporting the proposal of UP chief minister Mayawati for creation of three separate states of Purwanchal, Paschimanchal and Bundelkhand, he said that it would be in the interest of the region.

But he suggested that although Purwanchal and Paschimanchal could be made separate states, Bundelkhand should be given autonomous status.

He also criticised the centre for accepting the terms and conditions of the United States on the nuclear deal and said the agreement should be accepted by the UPA only after political consensus in the country.

Commenting on the state-of-affairs in UP, Mr Singh said dues of the sugarcane farmers be paid immediately, while the shortage of fertiliser be sorted out in right earnest.

While admitting that graph of organised crime had gone down in UP under the Mayawati regime, he lamented there was no progress as far as general crime was concerned.

''The power crisis is still rampant, while drinking water problem in Bundelkhand region should be taken care of,'' he added.

UNI