The Hindu : National : RJD releases manifesto

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 21, 2005

National

National

RJD releases manifesto

By K. Balchand

PATNA, JAN. 20. The Rashtriya Janata Dal leader, Lalu Prasad, today said his party had not received any directive from the Election Commission (EC) on the use of the U.C. Banerjee report in the poll campaign. Releasing his party's manifesto, he said it was for the Commission "to see" into complaints of violation of the model code of conduct.

Mr. Prasad said he had a seat-sharing arrangement with the Congress wherein both parties would not field candidates against sitting legislators. He denied knowledge about the Lok Janshakthi Party chief, Ramvilas Paswan, entering into a tie-up with the Congress.

In his manifesto, Mr. Prasad said the RJD alone could exploit the conducive atmosphere that had been created for development in the State with the installation of the United Progressive Alliance at the Centre. He blamed the ills plaguing the State on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance and charged that it had conspired against the State at each step leading to its bifurcation.

The RJD has promised to give employment to one member of each family of farmer or landless labourer besides setting up a new department for employment.

Employment would be provided to at least 1,000 people in each district every year. He also promised subsidies on agricultural inputs.

The manifesto also spoke of free education for girls right from the primary level.

For girls belonging to the minority community, Urdu schools would be opened.

The RJD has given special sops to the minorities. All police stations will have at least one Urdu-speaking employee. Weavers have been promised power subsidies besides action to waive arrears.

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