RLD condemns attack on N Indians in M'rashtra, Raj effigy burnt

Ranchi, Feb 4 (UNI) Rashtriya Lok Dal(RLD) president Ajit Singh today condemned the attack on north Indians residing in Maharashtra yesterday and said it did not augur well for the country that cherishes secularism and unity.

Talking to mediapersons here Mr Singh said the remarks of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackery were 'just to strengthen its vote bank based on communal passion'.

''Earlier Shiv Sena also used to utter such language but later it mended its ways,'' Mr Singh said.

Meanwhile, the Chatra Yuva Sangharsh Samittee today took out a procession and burnt the effigy of the MNS chief.

Regarding Jharkhand, Mr Singh praised Mr Madhu Koda for running a coalition government for more than a year and termed it an achievement.

On the Congress's recent threat to the Koda government, Mr Singh said every coalition government had to face pressure and Congress was using it as a weapon.

To a query Mr Singh said, people were not satisfied with the performance of erstwhile governments therefore they had given a chance to Mr Koda and thus holding mid-term polls would not be fruitful for the ruling coalition at the present juncture.

Supporting the move of division of Uttar Pradesh into smaller states, Mr Singh said it would help in develoment of the area.

UNI AM PL AE VC1833