New Delhi: The Jan Morcha on Monday opened its central office here. It is the political wing of the Kisan Manch, which is led by the former Prime Minister,V.P. Singh.

The forum is part of the Prgatisheel Jan Morcha Ghatbandhan (Progressive People's Alliance), an alliance of 22 parties and organisations, which works for the uplift of the poor and farmers.

Inaugurating the office, Jan Morcha president Raj Babbar said the flocking of the poor and farmers to the alliance's rallies proved it was a huge draw among them.

"For the first time, farmers have a forum that speaks for them. They have understood the power of protest and are uniting to fight the Mulayam Singh Government on issues such as land acquisition, special economic zones and other agriculture-related issues."

Mr. Babbar said mass suicides in the countryside by hungry families were due to the Uttar Pradesh Government's failure to issue below poverty line cards.

The BJP and SP were the principal enemies of the alliance, which was open to supporting the Bahujan Samaj Party if it fell short of a clear majority.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail