NEW DELHI, January 15: Making a mockery of corruption charges against its president, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), led by Laloo Prasad Yadav, today said it was totally committed to fighting corruption. The party however added a rider by asserting it was equally determined not to allow the issue of corruption to be used as an instrument of political vendetta.The eight-page election manifesto of RJD, whose president is in the eye of a storm over his alleged involvement in the multi-crore fodder scam, said the party will ensure a high degree of autonomy for law enforcing agencies so that they cannot be manipulated to settle political scores.
Asked whether he was referring to CBI, which had chargesheeted him in the scam in Bihar, Laloo told reporters, "I will not name any investigating or law enforcing agency".
The former Bihar Chief Minister said he was in favour of a national debate among political parties to ascertain their views on the issue of corruption so that it was not used as a political weapon
against anyone.
The manifesto committed itself to a democratic and secular India where the rights and dignity of all people were guaranteed and protection of the state was made available to all, specially the downtrodden. Police stations would be set up to give security and protection to vulnerable population, it promised.
On social justice, the party said it would provide justice and equality to all those who have been denied it, irrespective of caste and creed.The manifesto said the Constitutionally guaranteed rights of SC and ST will be upheld to provide equity and justice to all.
It promised to work for uplift of religious and ethnic minorities by providing better education and employment in a secure environment.
The party favoured a federal structure with strong delegation of powers to the states to minimise ethnic and religious conflicts and allow location-appropriate policy making and implementation. The Gram Sabha will be the unit of administration and the body for implementing wishes of the
people, it said.
Referring to north-east and Jammu & Kashmir, the manifesto said the party was determined to rectify past mistakes and make every attempt to end the sense of alienation in the minds of people in these states.
It promised to ensure the right of a citizen to information and complete freedom of press and said it stood for a transparent, participatory mode of governance.
The RJD also pledged empowerment of women by providing better education and employment opportunities and by introducing reservations for them at all levels.
Recognising the right of every individual to gainful employment, the party promised to provide jobs for rural youth based on their skills and local resources. The party has also vowed to provide high standard of uniform education and health care to all, with a particular stress on rural areas.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
