Lucknow, March 20 (IANS) The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Thursday released the names of party candidates for all the 80 Lok Sabha (LS) seats from Uttar Pradesh.
BSP supremo and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati said the party had nominated candidates in accordance with its belief and commitment in 'samajik sadbhavna' (social harmony).
"We believe in 'sarvajan hitay, sarvajan sukhay' and have given representation to all sections of the society," she said.
She said the party has fielded 17 candidates belonging to the scheduled castes category, 15 from the backward castes, 19 Muslims, 21 Brahmins and eight candidates who belonged to the Thakur community.
Taking a jibe at other national parties for "releasing candidate lists in innstalments", the Dalit leader said her party was releasing the names in one go.
Mayawati said her party's aim was to emerge as a "balance of power" at the centre after the general elections, and added that in case her party was in a position to form the government at the centre, she will ensure development for all.
She also announced that she will travel across the country March 22 onwards and address public rallies, but said she would spend 90 percent of her campaign time to canvass support for party candidates in Uttar Pradesh.
She accused the national parties of not paying attention to serious issues like poverty, economic crisis, price rise and instead making it a secular versus communal election.
Mayawati, however, added that she was on the side of secular forces and would do everything to prevent the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party from coming to power.
She also alleged that BJP's prime ministerial hopeful Narendra Modi's nomination from Varanasi in the state was a "well thought of and serious conspiracy to strengthen communal forces" that need to be defeated.
The BSP chief also issued a written appeal to voters seeking support for party candidates. BSP does not, as a principle, release election manifesto.
Prominent names in the fray are: Vijay Pratap Jaiswal (Varanasi), Akbar Hussain (Rampur), Shah Alam (Azamgarh), Qadir Rana (Muzaffarnagar), Mukul Upadhyaya (Ghaziabad), Satish Awana (Noida), Seema Upadhyaya (Fatehpur Sikri), and Narayan Singh (Agra).
Anees Ahmad is the party candidate from Pilibhit and would contest against BJP's Maneka Gandhi; Parvesh Singh from Rae Bareli has been pitted against Congress president Sonia Gandhi; Dharmendra Pratap Singh against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi and Nakul Dubey against BJP national president Rajnath Singh in Lucknow.
Pawan Pandey will contest on BSP ticket from Sultanpur against BJP's Varun Gandhi.
Waive charges for central forces: Orissa CM
Bhubaneswar, Feb 11 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday urged the central government to waive off Rs.1,450.29 crore charged for the deployment of central forces in the
Rashtrapati Bhavan to observe Earth Hour
New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) The Rashtrapati Bhavan will observe 'Earth Hour' on March 28, a statement said on Friday.All non-essential lights in the president house and the estate will be switched off
UN peacekeepers attacked in Sudan
United Nations, Jan 7 (IANS) United Nations peacekeepers were attacked by unidentified armed men in two separate incidents in Sudan, authorities said.In the first attack, the Joint United Nations
AAP names candidate against Priya Dutt in Mumbai
New Delhi, March 22 (IANS) The Aam Aadmi Party Saturday released its 10th list of candidates and fielded Phiroze Palkiwala against Congress' Priya Sunil Dutt in Mumbai North-Central.Incumbent
Russia-Ukraine War Update: Vladimir Putin said – the war dragged on longer than expected
Russian President Vladimir Putin made it clear on Wednesday that his military action in Ukraine would continue for a long time. Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted Wednesday that his "special
Rahul took 3 daughters of MP in a helicopter: promised in Ujjain... fulfilled in Rajasthan; Student said – will always remember
Rahul Gandhi fulfilled the promise made to three students of MP during the Bharat Jodo Yatra within 10 days. Former National President of Congress, Rahul Gandhi is currently in Rajasthan in his Bharat
Be Gracious in Victory, Dadlani tells AAP
Mumbai, Feb 9 (IANS) Music composer Vishal Dadlani, a known AAP supporter, said Monday that party supporters must be gracious and not gloat if the party wins the Delhi election."AAP supporters, IF
IT Raid: Raids on 25 locations, including former fund manager, over 55 crore undeclared assets seized
The Income Tax Department has seized over Rs 55 crore of undeclared assets by raiding the premises of the former fund manager of Axis Mutual Fund, some stock brokers, and others. Evidence of large
AAP drops Delhi candidate, fields Rakhi Birla (Second Lead)
New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) The AAP Tuesday withdrew the candidature of Mahendra Singh from the North West Delhi Lok Sabha constituency for his alleged involvement in criminal cases. Former Delhi
RCB vs KKR Playing 11: RCB will try to maintain the winning streak on home ground, KKR will give competition
The IPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will be played on Friday at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Both RCB and KKR have won their