Newly-launched LJD calls Oppn parties to unite against BJP

New Delhi, May 18: Describing the current political situation as ‘undemocratic’ and ‘dangerous’, with an aim to unite opposition, supporters of the JD(U) rebel leader Sharad Yadav on Friday launched a new political party called the Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) here on Friday.
Mr Yadav, who was present at the convention, will be the ‘mentor’ of the new political outfit.
A national convention attended by around 10,000 supporters from Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat in Delhi’s Talkatora Stadium, Mr Yadav along with other rebel JD(U) leaders, where former MPs Ali Anwar Ansari, MP Veerendra Kumar were also present.
The convention selected former Rajasthan Minister Fateh Singh as the newly-formed party's president and Sushila Morale as its general secretary.
The convention also passed three resolutions on political, economical and foreign policy.
“When we have disassociated with Nitish Kumar and the Election Commission has given the symbol to them, we were compelled to form the political party to contest elections. Because we don’t know how much time the court will take. The party will follow the path of JD(U) and Sharad Yadav. We will soon strengthen our party and strengthen the unity of all political parties against the RSS and the BJP,” rebel JD(U) leader Arun Srivastava told.
He also said the new political outfit is getting support from many people from different areas.
“We are getting support from all walks of people, HMS president was here, Congress leaders were here, farmers leaders like VM Singh and Dr Sunilam are here,” he added.
The decision of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to align with the BJP in the state after abandoning the Mahagathbandhan caused a split in the JD(U) last year.
Mr Yadav and other leaders went to the Election Commission and claimed that they are the ‘original’ JD(U) and asked to get party symbol to them. However, the Election Commission rejected it and said that the JD(U) led by Mr Kumar was original.
Simultaneously, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu accepted the Nitish Kumar factions’ demand to remove Mr Yadav from the membership of Rajya Sabha. Now the Delhi High Court is considering their plea against Mr Naidu’s order.
The LJD said in its political resolution that the “ruling party is constantly attacking the “constitutional values and” and “posing a threat to the democracy”. The convention declared that it will not tolerate any attack on democracy and will not allow a compromise on this issue.
“The central government is weakening the federal structure of the country. The Southern states have been forced to speak unanimously against the government,” it said.
In its foreign policy resolution the LJD said, with the present NDA government at the Centre, relation with Pakistan has worsened to a large scale.
“The conference believes that government should talk to all stakeholders who matter in improving the relations between both the countries. Government should also continue its dialogue with Pakistan,” it said. UNI