Paswan flays Nitish for dividing dalits in Bihar

Patna, Feb 21 (PTI) Hitting out at Chief MinisterNitish Kumar for dividing the dalits in various groups foralleged electoral interests, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP)president Ram Vilas Paswan today appealed for unity among theweaker sections in order to realise their politicalaspirations.

The ruling NDA sought to create a wedge among theDalits by carving out mahadalits in a strategic move to weakentheir unity, he said at a function to mark the 634th birthanniversary of the noted dalit icon Sant Ravidas.

Claiming that there have been no improvement insocio-economic and political condition of the mahadalits sincethey got distinct identity a few years ago, Paswan said NDAgovernment''s intention in regard was always malafide andbereft of any concern for the weaker sections.

Under the circumstances, it was prudent for the dalitsto close their ranks and stick together as one group if theywanted to fulfil their political aspirations, he said in thecontext of a dalit leader vying for the post of the primeminister of the country.

Paswan said it was consolidation of the dalit votesthat catapulted the BSP President Mayawati as the UttarPradesh Chief Minister following a decisive victory in 2007assembly polls.

If the dalits of Bihar wanted to enjoy politicalpowers in Bihar, they have no no alternative to rally behind aDalit leader, the LJP President said.