With an eye on the MBC vote bank the Samajwadi Party plans to launch two Rath Yatras from October 24 demanding that 17 Most Backward Castes should be included in the Scheduled caste category.
The rath yatras would be flagged off by party supreme Mulayam Singh Yadav and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in lucknow. After traveling through the length and breadth of the state the Yatra would end on December 7. A week later, on December 14, party will hold a massive rally in lucknow in support of its demands.
Addressing a press conference here, Minister of State for Mining Gayatri Prasad Prajapati and Jail Minister Rajendra Chaudhury said that despite State Government’s recommendation to give SC sttaus to 17 backward caste the Centre has not responded as yet. Asked as why SP is continuing with its support to UPA Government if it had not listened to SP’s requests Prajapati said that the support was being given to prevent communal forces from coming to power.
The first phase of the two rath yatras would end at Azamgarh on October 29 where the party chief would address 'Desh Bachao, Desh Banao' rally at Azamgarh. The leaders also criticized the BJP for dividing society on MBC issue. "The time has come for the BJP to support SP in empowering MBCs. It will send a good message," he said.