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Business News/ Politics / Policy/  Will start campaign against BJP from Varanasi: Lalu Prasad
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Will start campaign against BJP from Varanasi: Lalu Prasad

Rashtriya Janata Dal has asked the Union government to release data of social economic and caste census

Lalu Prasad, chief of Rashtriya Janata Dal, and wife Rabri Devi attend a party event in Patna. Photo: PTIPremium
Lalu Prasad, chief of Rashtriya Janata Dal, and wife Rabri Devi attend a party event in Patna. Photo: PTI

Patna: The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)—the single-largest party in the Bihar legislative assembly with 80 lawmakers—concluded its two-day national executive on Sunday in Patna with party chief Lalu Prasad declaring a campaign against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), starting from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, the parliamentary seat of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

RJD national election officer Jagdanand Singh announced Prasad’s re-election as the party president for the ninth time. He said since there was no other nominations, re-electing Prasad was just a formality.

Taking a dig at Modi, Prasad said the country was not in safe hands and he would organize a national campaign against the BJP.

“Tejashwi Yadav (deputy chief minister of Bihar) and I will be going to Varanasi soon where we will launch a national campaign against the BJP," Prasad said at a meeting in Patna.

The national executive also discussed the release of social economic and caste census (SECC) data. Prasad demanded a separate budgetary allocation for the backward classes in the country in proportion to their population. Asking the Union government to release the SECC data, Prasad said he will ask the prime minister to form a separate ministry for backward classes at the centre.

“The RJD wants to know why Modi’s government is hiding the caste identity of people who are landless and are ragpickers. We want to know the source of income of all taxpayers. When the next budget is tabled by finance minister Arun Jaitley we hope as per our demand, the government releases the SECC data and will make separate provisions for the backward class," said Prasad.

Prasad said if his demands are not met by the centre, the RJD will hold a national level agitation. “If Jaitley fails to meet our demand, we will hold national level agitation," said Prasad.

Prasad’s wife and former chief minister of Bihar Rabri Devi, deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav, cabinet minister Tej Pratap Yadav, RJD vice-president Raghuvansh Prasad Singh and RJD state president Ramchandra Purve were present at the meeting. RJD presidents from other states also attended the meeting.

Analysts say RJD should focus on developing Bihar rather than getting into any unnecessary fights with the centre.

“It seems the BJP is the new pole of Indian politics. Both Prasad and Kumar are trying their best to expand their parties. People of Bihar voted for the grand alliance based on the promises made. It will be better if they concentrate on development of Bihar rather than indulging in petty fights with the centre. Asking for SECC data is just a way of seeking attention," said Shashi Sharma, political science professor at Patna University.

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Published: 18 Jan 2016, 11:54 PM IST
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