lok-sabha-elections

Updated: Apr 08, 2019 03:40 IST

The BSP-SP-RLD alliance chiefs came together on one platform here on Sunday, for the first time, displaying the might of the alliance and blasting the BJP and Congress for their wrongdoings and wrong policies even as they promised to meet the people’s aspirations if the alliance came to power at the centre.

The alliance leaders -- BSP chief Mayawati, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and RLD chief Choudhary Ajit Singh – slammed the BJP for misuse of CBI, pending sugarcane dues, exploitation of Dalits and tribals and unemployment.

BSP chief Mayawati asked the people not to pay attention to the ‘Sharab’ remark (made by PM Narendra Modi recently.

“Modi will be frightened after getting feedback of such a massive turnout of people at this rally,” she said, claiming that BJP will be soon out of the power unless something is done to the EVMs.

“Congress remained out of power due to its wrong policies and BJP will be out of power because of their wrong doings and wrong policies,” she said and added that ‘chowkidari’ and ‘jumlebaji’ will not help the BJP.

Appealing to Muslims to vote for the alliance, the BSP chief asked them not to allow their vote to get divided but ensure victory of the alliance candidates to defeat the BJP. “Modi ke saath, Yogi ko bhi bhagana hai,” she said.

Attacking the PM, the BSP chief said that he had failed to fulfil even one fourth of the promises made by him and is misleading the people.

“They (BJP) have spent thousands of crores on publicity, which otherwise could have been spent on the welfare of the people,” she said and charged them of patronizing the capitalists.

Mayawati promised permanent employment to youths if the alliance came to power.

Referring to reservation to upper castes given by the Modi government, Mayawati claimed that it will not do much for them. She also said “our borders are not secure.” She appealed the gathering not to allow the BJP to come to power as they would do anything to get votes and distract them.

Taking on the Congress, she warned the people against falling into the trap of their manifesto, saying that they will put it aside after the elections. Mayawati added that the Congress’ promise of Rs 6000 per month is not a definite plan to remove poverty. BSP does not issue a manifesto as: “We believe in work, not in hollow promises,” she said. Mentioning Indira Gandhi’s 20-point programme to eradicate poverty, she said nothing happened. Also BJP’s promise of Rs 15 lakh is a joke and their ‘Sabka saath, sabka vikas’ has turned out to be a ‘jumla’.

She also appealed to people to vote for the alliance candidates from Bijnor (Malok Nagar, BSP), Saharanpur (Fazlur Reham, BSP), Kairana (Tabassum Hasan, SP), Muzaffarnagar (Ajit Singh, RLD) and Baghpat (Jayant Chaudhary, RLD) who were all present on the dias.

Akhilesh Yadav claimed that this election was going to create a history. He said that Saharanpur reminds him of the existence of Maa Shakumbhari Peeth and Deoband’s Darul Uloom.

Attacking Modi and the BJP, he said their leaders came here to spread hate but they don’t want to speak about their promises. He came as ‘chaiwala and we all believed in their lies of Rs 15 lakh. Now they are here as ‘chowkidars’.

“This election will decide the future of the country and the alliance will make a new PM,” said Akhilesh asserting that the alliance will keep the heritage of Choudhary Charan Singh alive and fulfill the dreams of Dr Ambedkar and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, who had dreamt of such an alliance. Like Mayawati, Akhilesh, too, raised the issues of pending sugarcane dues to farmers, unemployment and also sluggish pace of development of the country.

“This government has been bad days instead of good days (acche din). GST has destroyed business of small traders, he said while blaming the BJP for dividing the people more than the British.

“This election is to bring change, spread harmony and remove hatred,” said the SP chief while claiming that in Kairana they have abolished hatred as not even a single vote was divided there. He said referring to 2018 Kairana by-poll .

Attacking both the BJP and Congress, Akhilesh said they are alike as their policies are same.

In his address RLD chief Choudhary Ajit Singh also attacked the BJP and told the people that their enthusiasm showed that the BJP would be defeated.

He said the alliance wanted happiness for farmers, jobs for youths and a good life for everyone and asked the gathering “Modi ke ache din aa gaye kya?”

“This election is to save the nation,” said Singh and added that for the first time four judges of the Supreme Court had said that democracy was in danger. He also said that the CBI was being misused.

Taking a dig at PM, Singh said “Ye bhagwan hum sab ko Modi jaisa fakir bana de”.

Calling Mayawati as the leader of the country, Singh said sugarcane rates were increased in Mayawati and Mulayam governments and stern action was being taken against defaulters but now high court’s directions for payment of farmers’ dues are being overlooked.