New Delhi: In the hot and dusty Plains of Uttar Pradesh the election battle appears to be concentrated on the plank of job reservation and the Ayodhya temple issue writes a PTI correspondent after a tour of the state’s 35 parliamentary constituencies.
Heat has not dampened public enthusiasm and the talk of voters” Apathy is dismissed as an “urban myth” by people in this politically Crucial state. They know that the Stakes are high.
Election Meetings street-comer discussions and interaction with the people reveal that the National Front government’s decision to implement the Mandal commission recommendations and the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid controversy are the main issues in the next week’s elections.
Opinions differ on the issues and polarization on religious and caste lines seems to be taking place.
The Janata Dal leader and former Prime Minister V.P Singh on his tour of the eastern and western parts and the Bundhelkhand region repeatedly spoke of his government’s decision on job reservation and its stand on the temple-mosque issue even al the cost of his government.
Singh drew repeated cheers from the crowds he addressed whenever he talked of the “sacrifice” of his government without “giving in” to the demand of BJP for building a Ram temple at the disputed place in Ayodhya.
Singh strongly defended his government’s decision on the Mandal commission recommendations and said it was his government’s first step towards giving the poor a share in the power-structure.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 24, 1991
