Date:09/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/09/stories/2007090961191200.htm

National

Poll panel should frame policy, says Yuva JD(U)

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The youth wing of the Janata Dal (United) on Saturday criticised the decision of the Uttar Pradesh government to ban student union elections in universities and colleges and demanded that the Election Commission frame a policy on the elections.

Denouncing the use of “money power” — as has been alleged in the Delhi University union elections — Yuva Janata Dal (United) president Govind Yadav said that elections throw up candidates who could become leaders of the country.

“To ban the elections is like nipping the entire democratic process in the bud.” He was speaking at the conclusion of a two-day national executive here. Mr. Yadav said that the national executive decided to organise a countrywide ‘satyagraha’ against unemployment and the agrarian crisis which was adding to joblessness.

The youth wing would hold demonstrations against multinational and domestic corporate retail stores that were replacing neighbourhood stores in about 300 districts.

Mr. Yadav said that the party was protesting three recent decisions of the United Progressive Alliance government: the creation of special economic zones that have a different yardstick for taxes and labour laws; the import of wheat at Rs.16 a kg while giving domestic farmers Rs.8.50 a kg; and corporatisation of retail trade.