Date:01/11/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/11/01/stories/2004110104621100.htm

National

`UPA has created a mess in North-East'

By A Correspondent

RANCHI, OCT. 31. The Janata Dal (United) today alleged that the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre had failed to establish a semblance of governance in the country.

A resolution passed at the end of the JD (U)'s three-day national executive committee meeting here said that apart from its other failures, the UPA Government had created a "big mess" in the North-East, especially in Manipur. The Government had failed to understand the sensitivities of the people of that State, it added.

The resolution attacked the UPA Government for inducting persons with criminal antecedents into the Union Cabinet. Calling upon the judiciary to help end corruption at all levels, it cautioned against the escalating influence of anti-social and anti-democratic forces.

Later, senior leaders such as George Fernandes, Nitish Kumar, Sharad Yadav and Digvijay Singh addressed a rally at the Morabadi Maidan. Although the speeches were brief (the leaders had to fly back to Delhi) all of them expressed concern over the slow pace of development in Jharkhand in spite of the State being ruled by a Bharatiya Janata Party-led Government.

Criticising the movement for a separate domicile policy for the tribals of the State, Mr. Nitish Kumar said there should be a uniform domicile policy for the country.