Hinting at the consolidation of the Opposition forces against the BJP, Samajwadi Party national president Mulayam Singh Yadav said that erstwhile Janata Parivar will come under one banner to defeat communal forces.
“The process has begun to unite like-minded parties and soon we will emerge as a strong alternative,” Yadav said at the backdrop of a function held at Hindi Sansthan here on Sunday.
He admitted that he and lalu Yadav have come together as they shared a long relationship. “We have been together for years. There was division at one point of time, but fresh efforts have been made and there is a new alternative before the country. This new alternative will work for the poor and the religious minority,” he said.
When asked about his stand on English language, he said that he had never said English should be done away with. “I have always advocated for Hindi but had never said that students should not read English. I want Hindi should be promoted and this can only be done if all work is done in Indian languages,” Yadav said.
“leaders go to people to seek vote in Hindi but in lok Sabha they speak in English. I challenge them to seek vote in English and they will forfeit their deposits”, he added.
Mulayam also felicitated prominent author Doodnath Singh with Bharat Bharati award, a memento and a cheque of `5 lakh at the event.