Date:28/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/28/stories/2008122860120800.htm

National

Cadre killed for not paying BSP, says Paswan

Special Correspondent

“Dismiss Mayawati Government”

NEW DELHI: Within days of the brutal murder of an engineer, allegedly by a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA and his supporters in Auraiya, Union Fertilizers and Chemicals Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Saturday alleged that a Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) youth leader was also killed by BSP workers in Agra for refusing to pay Rs. 2 lakh to ‘celebrate U.P. Chief Minister Mayawati’s birthday.’

The LJP has sought the dismissal of the Mayawati government and imposition of President’s rule in Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Mr. Paswan said he would also write to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to apprise them of the situation.

LJP district youth president Manish Yadav was murdered near a police station in Agra on Friday night allegedly by three persons reported to be close to an MLA and a State Cabinet Minister. The accused had reportedly sought Rs. 2 lakh from Manish to be “sent to Ms. Mayawati” for her birthday celebrations on January 15.

When Manish refused to pay any money, he was killed and the body thrown near the police station, Mr. Paswan said.

According to Mr. Paswan, his party will observe a bandh in Agra on December 29 to register its protest against the killing and hold a demonstration in the national capital also following which a memorandum would be submitted to President Pratibha Patil to seek the dismissal of the U.P. government.

Mr. Paswan said leaders of the SP and the Congress had visited the spot where the killing took place and he was in touch with them over the issue.