Claiming that wind of change is blowing in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, who kickstarted his party’s poll campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections here on Wednesday, exuded confidence that his
party would come to power in the state with full majority. He also claimed that the next government at the Centre would not be formed without the support of his party.
Dismissing UP chief minister Mayawati’s move to divide the state into four parts as just a “gimmick”, Mr Yadav, while addressing a rally, cautioned the people by saying that they are dealing with a “shrewd politician (Ms Mayawati)” who is in the habit of shifting the goalposts.
SP general secretary Azam Khan claimed that any legislation moved by the Mayawati-led government would have no legal sanctity as the next government in the state would take a call on the issue. Mr Khan, in a veiled reference to the Partition of 1947, said that the people in the state are emotionally attached to each other and any division of the state would create artificial boundary among the people. Mr Yadav claimed that the state government of the day has neglected the welfare of the Muslims, as a mere two per cent of them have been given jobs in the recent police recruitment. During his rule, Mr Yadav claimed he had ensured people from the minorities got jobs in the police to the extent of about 15 per cent.
Terming the condition of Muslims worse than that of dalits, Mr Yadav said that the Centre was not considering the recommendations of Justices Rajendra Sachar and Ranganath Misra and asked the government to implement them immediately. The Sachar Committee has thrown light on the pitiable social and economic condition of minorities and recommended steps for uplift of Muslims, while the Misra panel has suggested measures for the betterment of backward minority Muslims — economically, socially and educationally.
In an emotional appeal, Mr Khan said, “Main yahan aapse apka gussa mangne aaya hun. Aap sabko Mayawati ke karyakal me hue anyay ka badla lena hai (I am here to have your anger (directed against the Maya government). You all should take revenge from the present government (by voting against it).”