Lalu Prasad and Ramvilas Paswan have not seen eye to eye in a long time. But these days, the two have taken upon themselves the role of the UPA’s secular warheads.
NEW DELHI: Lalu Prasad and Ramvilas Paswan have not seen eye to eye in a long time. But these days, the two have taken upon themselves the role of the UPA’s secular warheads, as they try and persuade their UPA colleagues to agree to a ban on the Bajrang Dal and imposition of president’s rule in Orissa.
The two may have failed to persuade the Union cabinet, on Wednesday, to pull the trigger on the Orissa government, but they remain undeterred and are determined to raise the issue at the meeting of the National Integration Council on Monday.
“There is no question of relenting on this issue. We will continue our campaign and try and get all those who have been fighting the communal forces to join hands,” says Ramvilas Paswan.
The duo has received support from the SP, and the trio intend to turn the heat on the saffron brigade and on elements within the UPA who are reluctant to confront the saffron brigade. “The time has come to take a stand. Unless we confront these elements they will destroy the social fabric of this country” says Lalu.
The three leaders had earlier come together to defend Amar Singh when he was being hounded by the BJP for his alleged involvement in the cash-for-votes scam.
Of the three, Lalu and Mulayam have a history of fighting the BJP while Paswan had briefly flirted with the BJP by becoming a minister in the Vajpayee-led government. All three enjoy a substantial following among minorities, and unlike the Congress party they are unapologetic about raising their voice on issues relating to the minorities.
“What we are doing is in the interest of the nation. We cannot and must not allow such a large population to become totally disillusioned and drift away from the mainstream,” says Mulayam.
j_ansari@dnaindia.net
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