The Hindu : Other States / Uttaranchal News : UKD coins a new slogan

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Tuesday, Apr 06, 2004

Other States

Other States - Uttaranchal

UKD coins a new slogan

By C K Chandramohan

DEHRA DUN, APRIL 5. Fighting a battle for survival, the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), which played a key role in the agitation that led to the creation of a separate State of Uttaranchal, has now come up with a new slogan to attract the voters who have been avoiding it for long. Realising that simply adorning the martyrs' mantle had translated a very small percentage of its following into votes in the Vidhan Sabha polls, the party has gone to town telling people that only a Member of Parliament of a regional party could fight for their cause rather than winners from the Bharatiya Janata Party or the Congress who have to confine themselves to the national policies of their parties.

Releasing the party's election manifesto here, the party leaders -- Vipin Tripathi and Kashi Singh Airy -- said that only the UKD candidates if returned to Delhi would be able to fight for the basic needs of this cash strapped backward State.

The manifesto touches upon several emotional points. It says efforts would be made to get the name of Uttaranchal changed to Uttarakhand as per the popular wish of the people and the unanimous resolution sent to the Centre by the State Assembly.

Since the State has a sizable chunk of retired and serving defence personnel, the UKD has sought "one rank-one pension" for them.

Also, efforts need to be made to rehabilitate servicemen after they retire at an early age.

The party also seeks the early sending back of government employees who had sought a return to Uttar Pradesh and filling up of vacancies that would follow by the local youth.

The martyrs and those who participated in the separate State movement should be given honour and benefits like a freedom fighter. The Capital should be established at Gairsen instead of Dehra Dun.

All those families that have been affected by projects like the Tehri Dam should be given a proper rehabilitation package that should include a job to one member of the family.

The party also seeks an amendment in the forest laws so that the van grams (forest villages) could be declared revenue villages.

The UKD has fielded Kashi Singh Airi from Almora, Bhuwan Chandra Joshi from Naini Tal and Trivendra Singh Pawar from Tehri seats.

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