BSP wins support for election from Gujjar outfit

Jaipur, Mar 10 (UNI) The Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP) today formally announced its support to agitating Gujjars demanding ST status and in return succeeded in winning support for election from Gujjar Reservation Joint Action Committee(Gunjal-Bhadana faction).

Senior BSP leader and Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Laxmi Narain Chaudhary formally announced his party's support to Gujjars at the congregation held by the Action Committee at the Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium here.

In response to Mr Chaudhary's announcement, committee Convenor expelled BJP MLA Prahlad Gunjal reiterated that the community will vote and support the party which supported their demand for ST reservation.

He also clarified that Gujjars would boycott both the BJP and the Congress in the election and would work to defeat them.

Three Uttar Pradesh Ministers, including Mr Chaudhary and BSP General Secretary and Rajasthan unit Incharge Dharmvir Singh Ashok, participated in the congregation.

Party Supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati had already made the party stand clear over the issue at a BSP rally held at the same venue last month, Mr Dharmvir told UNI.

However, it was only today that a formal declaration was made at a Gujjar community platform.

The three-member Uttar Pradesh ministerial team and state BSP leaders participated in the ''mahapanchayat'' on invitation from the organisers of Gujjar Action Committee.

The Gujjar Reservation Joint Action Committee (Gunjal-Bhadana) was scheduled to hold an indefinite dharna ''Mahapadhav'' here from today to press for the community's demand for ST status but later their was a change in the programme and the Mahapadhav was converted into a ''mahapanchayat'' (congregation).

The change was made in view of assurance by the state government for withdrawal of cases against Gujjar activists, suspended BJP MLA and commitee leader Attar Singh Bhadana said.

UNI SS SHB BD1847