Maya stokes Opposition fire

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UP chief minister Mayawati’s decision not to hold local bodies’ elections on party lines has started stoking fires in the Opposition camp. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to observe June 26 as Loktantra Bachao Diwas while the Congress will observe a “black day” to register its protest against the decision. Congress men will also burn the copies of the government order in this regard and wear a black band on their arms.

The Samajwadi Party is preparing to challenge the decision in court. According to BJP MP Lalji Tandon, Ms Mayawati’s decision to disallow local bodies’ election on party lines is anti-democratic and strongly reminiscent of Emergency days.
“In fact, what is happening in UP can be termed a mini-emergency of sorts. The decision to prevent political parties from participating in local bodies’ elections is aimed at throttling democracy. The BJP will oppose it with all its might,” he said.
Mr Tandon recalled that during Emergency, late Indira Gandhi had also tried to gag democratic institutions and muzzle the voice of the Opposition. He said that the Mayawati government’s decision would pave the way for the mafia to enter the political mainstream.
“This is the easiest way for turning “Swaraj” into “goonda raj and would sound the death knell for people’s participation in the democratic process at the grassroots level,” he added.
According to Mr Tandon, all BJP mayors in Uttar Pradesh will collect in Lucknow on Wednesday and hand over a memorandum, to the governor to register their protest against the government’s decision.
The mayors’ council in UP has also announced that it would seek all options — legal and political — to force the government to withdraw its decision.
The Congress in Uttar Pradesh, on the other hand, will observe “black day” on June 24 and hold demonstrations at all district headquarters to protest against the decision.
UPCC spokesman Subodh Srivastava said that the party would also observe a “Chetawani Diwas (warning day)”, the date for which shall be announced later.
“If the chief minister still refuses to withdraw the decision, we will organise a massive rally in Lucknow to challenge her,” he added.
SP state president Akhilesh Yadav has already stated that his party would exercise legal options.