Samajwadi Party president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav went all out to woo Muslims, whose support is vital to the party's bid to sweep the lok Sabha elections in this crucial State.
The Samajwadi Party (SP) manifesto supported reservation for Muslims in jobs in accordance with their population and promised to make the requisite amendments to the Constitution on coming to power. According to the manifesto that was released on Wednesday, reservation for SC, ST and backward castes in Government and non-Government jobs would also be ensured.
Mulayam has left no stone unturned in his party manifesto to tap the State's 18 per cent Muslim votes. The SP also promised to set up a commission for the economically weaker sections of the upper caste and announced that it would provide free education at all levels and raise the retirement age of Government employees, judges, court employees and teachers to 65 years in the country if voted to power.
The 24-page manifesto released at the party's headquarters, talks about Sarv Samaj and the SP's commitment to implementing the Sachar Committee report. At least two pages of the manifesto were devoted to highlighting the work done by the Akhilesh Yadav Government for the Muslims and on what it planned to do for them in future.
The party also announced that Urdu medium schools would be opened in Muslim dominated areas, free coaching would be given to Muslim students and 15 per cent jobs in the police force would be reserved for Muslims. Besides, "false cases" against Muslim youths would be withdrawn.
Recently, chairman of the Rashtriya Ulema Council, Maulana Aamir Rashadi had described Mulayam as anti-Muslim and has decided to contest against him. Probably this threat has forced SP to concentrate on Muslims.
"We are focusing on the development of the agriculture sector and will work out plans to improve farmers' economic conditions. The Bhumi Sena Yojna which is a hit in Uttar Pradesh will be replicated at the national level. China and other countries are ahead of India just because they focus on the agriculture sector,'' Mulayam said.
Talking about international relations Mulayam said that India has lost all its friends due to the wrong foreign policy of the present Government. "The SP will harp on dialogue to solve internal problems. Dialogue and political will to solve problems are the only way to bring intransigent groups back into the mainstream," he said.
Mulayam also promised "free medicines and free treatment to the poor in all Government hospitals at the district level and also free education right up to the graduation level in all Government institutions."