Madhany accuses LDF, UDF of ignoring Dalits, minorities

Kochi, Mar 29 (UNI) Accusing both the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Opposition UDF of ignoring Dalits, backwards and minorities in Kerala, PDP Leader Abdul Naser Madhany today said a ''social justice meet'', bringing together these communities, would be inaugurated here on March 31 by Samajwadi Party (SP) President Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Madhany claimed that this would be the first time in Kerala that backwards, Dalits and minorities were being brought on a common platform.

Besides Mulayam Singh Yadav and SP Leader Amar Singh, leaders from 23 other social and political organisations would address the meet, he said.

To a question, he said the meeting was not going to proclaim the formation of a ''third front'' in Kerala, though there was no doubt about the need for such a front in the state politics.

''This is a coming together of like-minded forces. We will have a workshop in April where further activities of these organisations will be worked out,'' Mr Madhany added.

Mr A V Thamrakshan, State General secretary of the RSP(B), said Dalits and tribals were neglected by both the UDF and the LDF while forming governments. There were hardly any ministers from the tribal communities, he observed.

Samajwadi Party State President P M Harris said SP Leaders Mulayam Singh and Amar Singh would attend the party's state working committee meeting here on March 31.

UNI ARC DS LS PM1610