Paswan's LJP to contest all 403 seats in UP

Releasing his party manifesto for Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan on Tuesday said his party would contest on all 403 seats in the state.

"The party has decided to contest on all 403 seats in the state, however, LJP will not field candidates on those seats from where prominent candidates of Congress, SP and Peace Party are in the fray," Paswan told reporters here.

On LJP's manifesto, he said that only those things which were practically possible have been mentioned in the document.

"Many parties are making big promises, but we have included only those things which are practically possible," he said. The party has promised health card to all residents, and Rs 18,000 to every girl at the time of registration of birth.

"This 18,000 will be deposited in the bank at the time of birth and will be given once the girl turns 18," he said. Paswan said that 10 per cent reservation would be given to economically weak people of upper caste in jobs and education and 50 per cent quota to SC/ST, backward and minorities in private sector.

Taking a dig at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar campaigning in support of JD(U) candidate, he alleged that his (Nitish) "media management" was good.

"Corruption in Bihar is no less than UP and there is a scam of Rs 67,000 crore," he alleged.

On Nitish campaigning against Bhartiya Janata Party in UP, the LJP president said that if BJP wishes it could pull down the government in Bihar in minutes. To check elected representatives after polls, Paswan said that this time tickets have been given to grassroot workers and not to party hoppers.

Paswan said that UP CM Mayawati installing her statues along with that of Dr Ambedkar was totally wrong.

"Fearing that her stand alone statues might be pulled donw in successive government, Mayawati installed them with those of Dr Ambedkar," he alleged.