NEW DELHI, Feb 12: The Samajwadi Party (SP) does not rule out a post-election tie-up with the Congress to prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from coming to power at the Centre.SP general secretary Ramgopal Yadav indicated as much to reporters today while releasing the party manifesto. He said the SP could seek or give support to the Congress to keep the BJP out. Despite all its shortcomings the Congress is ``a thousand times'' better than the BJP, he added.
He said the BJP, if voted to power, would prove a threat to the democratic institutions of the country. Yadav maintained that his party's stand on Congress did not reflect any differences with the United Front on the issue. He added that his party was engaged in a decisive battle against communal forces in Uttar Pradesh.
In the 11-page manifesto, Mulayam Singh Yadav's party has advocated welfare measures for the minorities, a separate pay commission for the armed services and replacing the word ``India'' with ``Bharat''. The party has alsopromised to retain Article 370 which confers special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Opposing interference in the Muslim personal law, the SP has maintained that a uniform civil code was not feasible. The party has also promised more recruitment of Muslims in the police and other forces where their numbers are negligible at present.
The party has promised to open schools, colleges and technical education institutes in Muslim-dominated areas. On the Ayodhya dispute, the SP has said the issue should be settled through the court. The manifesto promises legal action against those involved in the 1992 communal riots and 1984 anti-Sikh riots, undertaking to adequately compensate riot victims.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
