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JD (U) hoping for an agriculture friendly budget, says Sharad Yadav

Photo: PTI

Janata Dal (United) President Sharad Yadav being welcomed during his party's ninth State convention in Kolkata on Sunday.

KOLKATA: On the eve of the presentation of the Union Budget by Finance Minister Pranab Mukhrejee, Janata Dal (United) President Sharad Yadav said here on Sunday that his party wanted an agriculture-friendly budget and that emphasis be given to protect the fertile land of the country.

“The Budget should take measures to save the agricultural sector of the country for the sake of food security. Steps should be taken to save the fertile land of the country as this is our country's wealth,” Mr. Yadav told journalists on the sidelines of party's State conference.

Mr. Yadav said that the setting up of SEZs (special economic zones), hi-tech cities and factories on agricultural land was a matter of grave concern as the food-security of the nation is compromised.

He commended the Railways for not increasing passenger fares in the Railway budget, but expressed concern over implementation of projects announced in the last budget.

On being asked about the JD (U)'s plans for the State ahead of the upcoming elections to the State Assembly, Mr. Yadav said the party's State Committee will take a decision which the Central leadership will review.

The JD (U) fielded two candidates in the 2006 West Bengal Assembly polls in an electoral adjustment with the Trinamool Congress. JD (U) State president Amitava Datta said he had written a letter to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee asking for ten seats in the coming elections.

“We have been a part of the struggle of the Trinamool Congress in the State for the past 12 years and are sure that Ms. Banerjee will want to continue the association,” Mr. Datta said.

The party's prospects have improved with Mohammad Shohrab, a sitting MLA from Burrabazzar constituency in Kolkata, joining the JD (U) during the day. Mr. Shohrab, who was a member of the Rashtriya Jananta Dal (RJD), had contested in 2006 with the support of the Left Front.

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