Kerala - Kollam   

BSP to contest for all seats

Staff Reporter

Mayawati calls upon Dalits to join BSP

KOLLAM: President of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Mayawati, MP, said here on Sunday that though her party may not be able to open its account in the Kerala Assembly in the coming elections, the Dalits and Backward Classes in the State would ensure that the BSP becomes a formidable force in Kerala.

Ms. Mayawati was here to inaugurate the State-level workers convention of the party.

Ms. Mayawati announced that her party would contest independently in all 140 constituencies in the State. To applause from BSP cadres, Ms. Mayawati said she would campaign in Kerala for six days.

The BSP leader said that while the Constitution granted protection and reservation to Dalits, under the "Manuvadi" rule, the Dalits would continue to be sidelined and oppressed. She called upon the Dalits and the Backward Classes to join the BSP. "Only if we come to power can our problems be addressed," she said. She alleged that the Congress, BJP and Communists would pump in huge amounts of money to manipulate the elections in their favour.

She asked the BSP cadres to be vigilant against such moves. She demanded that the reservation provision of the Constitution be extended to Dalit Christians.

In his address, BSP national coordinator Suresh Mane said in this election, the BSP would set the stage for a strong alternative in Kerala politics. Prof. Mane termed the BSP as the voice of the downtrodden masses. Saji K. Cheraman, State president of the party; M.S. Jayaprakash, party spokesman; and S. Prahladan, party vice-president, also spoke.

Sena to contest 75 seats

Special Correspondent writes from Thiruvananthapuram: Shiv Sena will field its candidates in 75 constituencies in the Assembly elections.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Sena presided over by its Kerala Rajya Pramukh M.S. Bhuvanachandran, here.

In other constituencies, the party will back candidates who have a clean record and support the charitable activities of the Shiv Sena. The meeting also approved a preliminary list of 57 candidates from the lists submitted by the district committees. A press release issued by the party said actor Sreenath may contest on the party ticket.

The final list of candidates would be announced on March 28.

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BSP to contest for all seats

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