MCD election: LJP to contest on all 272 seats

Lok Janshakti Party today announced that it will contest on all the 272 seats in the MCD election which is scheduled on April 15.

Announcing the list of candidates, LJP president Ramvilas Paswan today said the party has decided to go alone in the hustings and will soon announce the list of remaining candidates next week.

"Our national executive has decided to field candidates in all 272 seats in the upcoming MCD elections. Today we are releasing the list of 43 candidates and remaining names will be declared on March 15 and 16," Paswan told reporters here.

The first list has 18 women candidates, out of which two have been fielded from general seats. The polling for three municipal bodies here will be held on April 15. Out of the 43 candidates, 16 are Muslims including seven women. Replying to a question on how many seats LJP is hopeful of winning this time, Paswan said, "We have decided to contest all the seats and definitely we will emerge stronger this time."

On selection of candidates Paswan said that due care has been taken to ensure that right people are chosen for the contest. "The national executive is responsible for selection of candidates and all our candidates have a clean image," he said.

Talking about the recent election results in Uttar Pradesh, Paswan targeted BSP chief Mayawati for her claims that Dalits voted for her. "Mayawati is lying that dalits voted for her. Not even 40 per cent dalits gave their votes to Mayawati," he said. 

Paswan also lambasted the claims of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the dismal performance of JD(U) in Uttar Pradesh polls.

"In Uttar Pradesh, JD(U) leaders were hopping from one place to another on helicopters. Their claim for good governance and Bihar's model of governance has flopped indicating that they are making false claim in Bihar as well," he said.

Replying to a question on his expectation from the upcoming Railway Budget, Paswan hoped that the passenger fare will not be increased and the Ministry will take strong measures to revive its earning through the freight business.

"Railway earns very little from passenger business so it will hardly benefit it if the fares are increased in this category. The goods fare have remain untouched for a long time and Railways must try to revive its business in that sector," he said. Paswan was the Railways Minister in the United Front government.  

LJP has three councillors in the present MCD. While it has retained Gulab Singh Rathore (Mukundpur) and Khurram Iqbal (Jama Masjid) as its candidates, councillor Ubed Iqbal has been replaced in Turkman Gate by Aale Mohammed.