Jayant Chaudhary, the newly elected leader of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) has asserted that voters in UP are more concerned about education and development and not "artificial issues" such as "love jihad" and "cow terror".
He said on Sunday that the ruling BJP’s “apathy” towards protesting farmers will hurt the party in the subsequent elections.
"Love jihad, cow terror, Kairana exodus and other useless artificial issues will be rejected; healthcare, education and balanced development will win (in the polls)," the 42-year-old politician said.
The Opposition in UP has accused that cow vigilante violence is rampant in the state, a charge denied by the BJP.
Chaudhary asserted that his party will not run the communally polarised campaign to damage the state in the coming assembly polls.
Samajwadi [aaarty and RLD have a good rapport and have a strong working relationship.
Asked if a ‘mahagathbandhan’ will be needed to take on the BJP, and whether the BSP and the Congress would be part of such an alliance, Chaudhary said that, for him, issues came first and an understanding of those needs between partners.
“Who can be accommodated depends on who is honestly open to working together on the common framework,” he said.
On being asked about UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s political future and the reports of reshuffle in the state cabinet, Chaudhary stated that BJP was trying to divert attention and form an illusion of dialogue to manage dissatisfied elements in the party.
He said, "Social engineering doesn't come about by tinkering with one or two leaders at the top. The fact is that BJP's Uttar Pradesh government has been caught in a caste-based matrix and has not delivered jobs, economic growth, and efficient governance to people.”
He further added that the state government’s Covid handling has been horrendous, and no one can forget the scenes of dead bodies floating in the Ganga.
“Now, after four-and-a-half years of trying to create rumours of a change in leadership is a poor attempt to shift focus from failures,” said Chaudhary.
On farm laws and addressing their issues, Chaudhary said they will be the key points for the polls and farmers will and will be the biggest poll issue to be addressed. As a section, their rights cannot be denied for long
“The Centre’s new laws are prescribing a takeover of the entire market and value chain by the private sector and the withdrawal of the government from procurement,” adding that succeeding monopolisation of the farming market will cause troubles for the producer and consumer interests as well, he added.
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He asserted that the “apathy and insensitive” attitude towards the protesting farmers will continue to haunt and hurt the BJP in future polls.