New Delhi, May 01: In a veiled criticism of distribution of tridents by VHP and lathis by RJD, JD(U) chief and Union Minister Sharad Yadav today said that such practices were not good for democracy when passions were being fomented. "Be it distribution of tridents, swords or lathis, it has no significance in democracy. Instead of taking democracy forward, such practices will take it backward," he told reporters here.

He said that violence should not have any place in democracy, particularly at a time when the country was passing through a phase of fomenting passions.
"Holding elections after inciting passions is not good for democracy. We believe in the ideals of Jayaprakash Narayan and Lohia and shall carry forward their principles. At the same time we will expose people indulging in inciting passions or promoting violence in the country," he said.

Yadav said that his party was preparing for the coming assembly elections in four states and added that senior leaders had been given responsibility of each state. Besides, a meeting of JD(U) national office bearers, state chiefs, MPs and MLAs has been convened here on may three which will be followed by a Yuva JD(U) meeting here on May 15.

Asked about the number of seats the party would contest in these states, he said local units would decide.
Meanwhile, deputy mayor of Vadodara Municipal Corporation Sailesh Mehta along with four councilors and two members of the municipal school board joined JD(U) in Yadav's presence.

Bureau Report