Other States - Uttar Pradesh   

Regional parties likely to forge alliance for elections

LUCKNOW: The National Federation of Small States and Indian National Front for New States have decided to forge a national alliance of regional parties to contest the next Lok Sabha elections, particularly in those areas where the demand for the creation of small States has gained momentum. These regional parties, barring the Samajwadi Party, are those who have supported the demand for the creation of small States such as Bundelkhand, Purvanchal, Harit Pradesh, Telengana and Vidarbha.

Addressing a press conference, the convenor of the Front, Raja Bundela, lauded Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati for taking up the issue of trifurcation of the State into Bundelkhand, Harit Pradesh and Purvanchal with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Mr. Bundela said by announcing the decision in Lucknow, the Front wanted to impress upon the Chief Minister to take up the issue further and send a resolution on the subject to the Centre. He accused the national parties of shying away from regional movements.

He said the movement would have a broad base as a rally is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad on September 27, which would coincide with the formal launching of the Nav Telengana Party (NTP).

After Hyderabad, public meetings would be held in Vidarbha and Bhopal. He added that efforts would be made to meet Ms. Mayawati.

P. Niroop of the NTP, who was also present, said considering that had Telengana 19 Lok Sabha seats, Vidharba region 10, Bundelkhand region ( incorporating the areas in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh ) 19, Harit Pradesh 16 and Purvanchal 28, the alliance can have a Prime Minister of their choice.

Stating that Telengana was bigger than 14 States, Mr. Niroop said the people of the region were let down by the UPA government and there was no hope from the Bharatiya Janata Party as well. There was no option but to look towards Ms. Mayawati and the NTP would support her if she facilitated the creation of Telengana after “becoming the Prime Minister.”

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

Stories in this Section

Regional parties likely to forge alliance for elections
Congress, SP misleading farmers: Mayawati

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu