REACTING SHARPLY to Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav’s advice to the BJP to change its ideology and become friendly with the minorities in order to come closure to the Samajwadi Party, former State president of BJP Kalraj Mishra lashed out at the SP chief for appeasing the minorities. He said the clean chit by the SP to Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) activists and withdrawal of cases against the SIMI chief had exposed the real face of SP leaders.
Talking to mediapersons, Mishra claimed that the BJP had a national ideology and was a party of principals. He expressed hope that the party would retain its lost ground in UP in the local body election and its position would improve further. He said the State government was in no mood to conduct civic poll but tremendous pressure by the Allahabad High Court compelled the government to conduct local body election.
He claimed that BJP was in favour of decentralisation of power and erstwhile BJP government had allocated separate funds for strengthening the panchaytraj system.
Recommending more power to the municipal corporation and local bodies, Kalraj Mishra said the 73rd and 74th amendment in the Constitution was to decentralise power up to grass root level and to involve people of rural areas in the decision-making system.
Responding to a question, Mishra denied there was any crisis in the party over distribution of tickets and said those who were leaving the party were taking the decision on their own. This would not cast its shadow over the prospect of party candidates in the election, he said.
{{/usCountry}}Responding to a question, Mishra denied there was any crisis in the party over distribution of tickets and said those who were leaving the party were taking the decision on their own. This would not cast its shadow over the prospect of party candidates in the election, he said.
{{/usCountry}}Continuing his offensive against Mulayam government, he said mafiosi and criminals were ruling the State and no one was safe under this government. He said SP candidates were issuing threats to their political opponents. He alleged the Samajwadi Party was misusing power in local bodies election.