The Hindu : National : Jayalalithaa left UNPA on her own: Amar Singh

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Monday, Jan 21, 2008
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Jayalalithaa left UNPA on her own: Amar Singh

Alliance plans to create awareness on ryots’ problems

“Against division of Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh”
“Fertile lands are going to be usurped”

HYDERABAD: United National Progressive Alliance leader Amar Singh on Sunday said that AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa parted ways with the political grouping on her own “sweet will.”

Answering a question at a press conference addressed by UNPA leaders here, Mr. Singh said the UNPA had not left her but she herself had broken away from “this fraternity.” During the Presidential elections the AIADMK had supported Bhairon Singh Shekawat. Later she declared unilaterally that she was no longer with the UNPA. He also referred to her recent meeting with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

He, however, added that the UNPA respected her decision.

Mr. Singh criticised the Ballia-Noida Ganga Expressway project and alleged that fertile lands were going to be “usurped.”National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah urged the Jammu and Kashmir government and the Centre to take action against those trying to spread bitterness among people in the name of religion.

The UNPA leaders, including its chairman and Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh, halted here en route to Akola to address a farmers’ rally there. They were joined by TDP president and UNPA convenor N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Mr. Mulayam Singh told journalists that the UNPA was against the bifurcation of States, as the creation of smaller States would give a fillip to naxalism.

“We are against division of Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh,” Mr. Mulayam Singh said when asked about the proposal to carve out Bundelkhand and the growing demand for a separate Telangana State.

Mr. Mulayam Singh said the UNPA had recently decided to organise four public meetings to create awareness among the people on the problems faced by farmers.

Food security threat

Mr. Naidu, UNPA convenor, said the country was likely to face a food security threat and faulted the Centre for failing to take action. The report of the M.S. Swaminathan Commission submitted 16 months ago was yet to be implemented.

About 1.5 lakh farmers had committed suicide due to debt burden, crop loss and rising health costs.

The Congress-led government failed miserably in curbing farmers’ suicides and food grains were being imported due to neglect of agriculture.

He said a dharna would be organised in front of Parliament on the first day of the next session. The communist parties agreed to participate.

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