Stressing his desire to contest for the Prime Minister's post, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Saturday said the upcoming Lok Sabha elections were "a matter of honour" for him, and asked the people to give the party a majority in the elections.
"For the first time I am saying this, the next Lok Sabha election is a matter of my honour," he said, addressing a "Desh Bachao Desh Banao" rally here, and asked the people to give SP a majority in the elections.
"The occasion has come to remove the people who have not ended price rise and starvation in the country. The people must give SP a chance so that the country progresses," he said.
On the matter of extending support to form a coalition, the SP supremo said the party would weigh issues related to poor, farmers and youths.
Citing scams, corruption and external security, Mulayam promised to bring about a political change and called upon the young generation to make SP successful.
"We are doing politics for the people. SP is doing politics for poor, farmers, youths and women," he said.
Slamming the UPA government, he said it was so weak that it has not been able to end starvation despite the abundance of food produced.
"It is so unfortunate that despite farmers producing food grain in abundance, deaths are taking place due to starvation. This government cannot feed the people of agri-oriented country. There is no government shameless, weak and lowly than this," he alleged.
Highlighting the contribution of Muslims to the country, Mulayam said minorities should "not be viewed with suspicion".
"Farmers and Muslims have contributed 80 per cent to the development of the country. While farmers increased agricultural produce, Muslims promoted handiwork," he said.
"The clothes we are wearing, 80 per cent is made by Muslims. The major contribution in making weapons for the security of the country is that of Muslims.
"Minorities are being viewed with an eye of suspicion in the country. They should not be viewed in that manner," Mulayam said.
Referring to the Sachar committee report, the SP supremo said it had stated that socio-economic condition of Muslims was worse than Dalits and recommended special facilities for them.
He also attacked those indulging in politics over Muzaffarnagar riots, saying a conspiracy to divide the country was being hatched.
On his statement on Muzaffarnagar riots that raised objections from Muslim leaders, he said, "I am deeply hurt with the incident. People are saying that SP and BJP are triggering riots."
He alleged that those indulging into politics over riots were conspirators and no government other than Akhilesh regime has helped victims in the country.
Addressing party workers, Mulayam said that they should remember that indisciplined people could never win.
"If you have to lodge a complaint then write a letter, but don't maintain indifferences or indiscipline," he said.
Referring to Bundelkhand, he said that only SP worked for the development of the region and recalled how the party persuaded former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to arrange water for the area and made provision for special fund.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav launched and laid foundation of development projects worth Rs 900 crore on the occasion.
"There is not much time left in the Lok Sabha elections.
All parties are preparing for that and we have faith in you people. After this the 'samajwadis' (socialists) will not get a chance like this," he said.
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