Date:05/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/05/stories/2008060554751300.htm

National

Mayawati’s concern for Dalits eyewash: Congress

Special Correspondent

“Chief Minister using Dalit agenda for political mileage”

Digvijay Singh

LUCKNOW: All India Congress Committee general secretary Digvijay Singh on Wednesday accused Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati of using the Dalit agenda to gain political mileage.

Her concern for Dalits was eyewash, Mr. Singh, who is in charge of the party affairs in the State, told journalists here.

“Evict MLC”

Referring to the alleged illegal acquisition of Gram Samaj land at Chuppepur Shivpur village in Varanasi district by Bahujan Samaj Party MLC Ram Raksha Pal, he said it was in gross violation of the Chief Minister’s recent directive that strict action be taken against those occupying government land. The May 28 incident resulted in the death of a Dalit youth, Bhagwan Das alias Daane, in firing by goons.

The Congress demanded eviction of the MLC and a Rs. 10-lakh compensation to Daane’s next of kin. Also a probe should be held into last week’s “unprovoked” police firing in Soron tehsil of Kasganj, in which another Dalit was killed.

“Administrative instability”

Alleging administrative instability in Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Singh said this was exemplified by the Chief Secretary opting for voluntary retirement and District Magistrates and SSPs being denied full tenure in their places of posting.

On the Rs.80,000-crore package demanded by the Chief Minister, Mr. Singh said nobody knew what was in it.

Rejecting the charge that the Centre was not helping in the development of the State, he said the annual plan size of Rs.35,000-crore was proof of its approach. But why did she not attend Planning Commission meetings?

Mr. Singh said the Congress would cooperate in the development of the State if the Chief Minister took its leadership into confidence.

Mr. Singh, who was here to attend a meeting of district unit chiefs and other office-bearers in connection with the Lok Sabha elections, said the names of candidates whose choice was unanimous would be announced soon.