PATNA, December 29: In an apparent bid to outwit his bete noire Laloo Prasad Yadav in the game of promises, the Janata Dal national president Sharad Yadav today came out with the assurance to arm the poor of the extremist areas with arms at government expenses.Sharad Yadav, who kicked off the party's election campaign yesterday from Laxman Bathe, told newsmen today in Patna that in places where it was not possible, the United Front government after coming to power would disarm the rich people having weapons.
Sharad Yadav observed that with the Bihar police forming a nexus with the criminals and private armies, arming the poor has become imperative.Earlier, on December 27, while launching his poll campaign from Bathe, Laloo Prasad had demanded for arming of the poor against the attacks of the feudal elements. Yadav charged Laloo and his RJD with toying the ideas of formation of secular Front for the simple reason to create obstacles for United Front.
Aware of the fact that the proposed secular
Front would prove to be a non-starter, Yadav quipped, Laloo was going ahead with his moves in a bid to create confusion in some UF partners and obstruct the path of United Front.
But denying that this machination would have any impact on the prospect of United Front, Sharad Yadav predicted that the RJD would be completely routed in the ensuing elections. Sharad Yadav denied that there was any misunderstanding in the Constituents of the 17-party Left and Democratic Front on the issue of sharing of seats and reiterated the United Front standing on a united platform would sweep the polls. The JD President demanded, in view of the past experience of misusing the Government machinery, the Election Commission should ensure that honest officers are deployed during the elections.
Coming to the protection of the Left parties in a strong manner, he eulogised their role in functioning of the United Front government and observed that ``red flag'' was a part and parcel of the United Front.
Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
