In Indian political horizon Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state of India, always takes a centre-stage, not because it elects 80 members to the Lok Sabha or has 403 elected members in its Legislative Assembly, but because of varying scenario, which it presents from time to time.
The Bharatiya Janata Party-Bahujan Samaj Party coalition came to an end on August 25, 2003 and on consequent swearing in of Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav as Chief Minister on August 29, 2003. Tall promises were made by the Chief Minister soon after he assumed the office. Two of them were to provide electricity at the rate of Rs. 2/- per unit within two years and an improved law and order situation. Everyone waited, though in vain, for the fulfillment of these and other promises.
The Samajwadi Party-led government, which has completed 3 years on August 28 has disappointed the common man. It would be too mild to say that the Samajwadi Party Government has failed on all fronts. Law and order situation is very dismal. On a moderate estimate there have been more than 15,000 murders during the last three years, leaving aside thousands of dacoities, kidnappings, rape and other crimes. There have been several instances where Samajwadi Party Members of Parliament, legislators or activists have raided police stations and released culprits from police custody. Hallabol in a different guise against opposition party leaders and workers has become the hallmark of this Government.
Shameless defence of Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) by the Government and Samajwadi Party leaders is a big threat to the security of the State and the country. SIMI is an organisation, which allegedly has links with international terrorist organisation called as Lashkar-e-Toiba and openly eulogises Osama bin Laden. Its workers are facing trial for anti-national activities and inciting riots but the government is trying to withdraw cases against them.
Under Samajwadi regime, Uttar Pradesh has become a convenient route for smuggling of arms, drugs, fake currency and terrorists. The growth of madrasas on UP-Nepal border without any need or inquiry about their activities, is alarming. People are ignorant about the teachers, students and the syllabus of the madrasas.
Uttar Pradesh has also become a soft target for terrorist activities. Attacks on Ayodhya and Varanasi are the latest examples. The government has admitted in the Legislative Assembly on May 16, 2006 that 34 (out of 70) districts in the State have become sensitive to terrorists.
The Samajwadi Party government'spolicy of Muslim appeasement for vote bank is turning out to be dangerous. Muslim criminals are going scot-free. Police authorities are scared to take strong action against them and a particular government patronised caste. This has also resulted in growth of crime. Instances of Hindu girls being kidnapped in daylight and of gang rape by the other community have also come to notice. Cow slaughter has tremendously increased in the State, particularly in some western districts, despite ban. No stern action is taken against cow killers as they belong to minority community. Total result of all this is increasing communal tension in the State.
Common man is the worst sufferer in the State. The Government has done nothing to check rising prices to ameliorate the grievances of the farmers. Power cuts have increased the woes of the people as well as of industry, trade and commerce. The government is a strange illustration of many paradoxes. Capitalists and big industrialists are gainers in the name of socialism. Land and food scandals, financial irregularities, misuse of state funds, nepotism, favouritism galore in the State. Criminals and mafias have made deep dents in the administration.
Bharatiya Janata Party is all set to gain in the current political scenario in the State. People have started comparing the achievements of the BJP with the non-performance of the Samajwati and the Bahujan Samaj Party. The BJP has also geared up its organisational activities and is preparing itself for the forthcoming polls. No doubt that the BJP is again emerging as a strong the force in UP.
(The author is former Speaker, UP Assembly and president of BJP, Uttar Pradesh.)
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