National

Mulayam announces sops for Emergency detenus

Special Correspondent

Alleges coercive measures by the UPA Government against SP workers

Mulayam Singh Yadav

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday took up the issue of excesses committed on political workers during the 1975 Emergency, to embarrass the Congress.

Addressing an "Emergency Political Prisoners' Convention" here, Mr. Yadav, who was jailed for 19 months under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), cautioned the people "against the designs of the Congress."He said if the Congress were to get an absolute majority at the Centre it would spell doom for the Opposition political workers and leaders. "With just 145 MPs, the Congress-led Government could impose repressive measures against its opponents. Imagine the situation in which the Congress forms the government with a clear majority? It would mark the return of draconian measures reminiscent of the Emergency days."

Organised by the Samajwadi Party, the convention was attended by National Democratic Alliance convener George Fernandes, Janeshwar Mishra, Harkewal Prasad, Mohan Singh, Reoti Raman Singh and hundreds of other MISA and DIR (Defence of India Rules) detenus drawn from all parts of the State. Also present were several detenus belonging to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the then Jana Sangh.

Ravidas Mehrotra, programme convener, said there were about 2,500 such prisoners in Uttar Pradesh.

Black day

Terming June 26, 1975 a "black day" in Indian history, Mr. Yadav said the Emergency was the outcome of Indira Gandhi's "authoritarian regime," which had no qualms about curtailing civil liberties. There was no let-up in the coercive measures by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime, but the SP workers and youth would not be cowed down. He criticised the Government for importing wheat, terming it a conspiracy to ruin farmers.

On the recent diesel and petrol price increase, Mr. Yadav said the Centre must first withdraw the hike. His Government would then reduce the trade tax on commodities.

He dismissed UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's charge vis-à-vis power supply to Rae Bareli and said his Government had sanctioned Rs. 1,100 crore for its development.

Power was supplied round the clock to the town and for 14 hours a day to the rural areas of the district.

Blaming the Gandhi-Nehru family for the constituency's backwardness, he said: "Since [the days of] Feroze and Indira Gandhi, Rae Bareli has been represented by either a member of the Gandhi-Nehru family or a close associate. Who is responsible for its backwardness?"

Political vendetta

The Chief Minister accused the UPA Government of political vendetta and discrimination against the State.

He said its only objective was dethroning the Samajwadi Party Government. He alleged that raids were conducted on members of the Uttar Pradesh Development Council. And the failed Jet-Sahara agreement was a "conspiracy" to ruin Sahara.

Mr. Yadav exhorted the Emergency detenus to support the Samajwadi Party, saying the future course of the country's politics hinged on the outcome of the elections in the State.

He announced several sops for the Emergency detenus. Besides allowing free bus travel in State Transport Corporation buses for all those jailed under the MISA and the DIR, he brought them on a par with freedom fighters by according them the status of loktantra senani (those who fought for the restoration of democracy).

He announced a monthly pension of Rs. 500 with effect from April 1, 2006.

To begin with, they would get cheques for Rs. 2,000 inclusive of pension for the period from April to July 2006. He promised them more facilities if the Samajwadi Party returned to power.

Mr. Fernandes recounted the horrors of the Emergency and said the recent developments might mark the return of those days. Hence, people should be prepared to counter the moves. Agitations would be launched as there was no respite from rising prices and other problems, he warned.

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