The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday formally announced Rajnath Singh as its chief ministerial candidate for the next month's Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections and said the coalition, if voted to power, would function under the common minimum programme. The alliance leaders claimed the present regime has ushered in a ''golden era'' in the state and advocated Singh's name for chief ministership.
Formally kicking off joint campaign in the state at a press conference, the NDA leaders exuded confidence that the alliance would give a tough fight to its rivals and shortly sort out the issue of seat adjustment and rebel candidates on some seats.
The alliance, if came to power, would form a ''mini'' government on the pattern of the BJP-led council of ministers at the Centre, the alliance leaders said. The ruling alliance has often been criticised for installing a jumbo-ministry in the state. Janata Dal (United) president and union labour minister Sharad Yadav, Samata Party leader and railway minister Nitish Kumar, Lok Janshakti Party president and coal and mines minister Ramvilas Paswan, UP chief minister Rajnath Singh and BJP state unit president Kalraj Mishra were present at the conference.
Union minister and Shakti Dal chief Maneka Gandhi was conspicuous by her absence. The leaders, however, claimed that she was with the NDA and could not join them due to other engagements.
Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) vice-president Rameshwar Singh claimed that the opposition would be wiped out from the western up.
Sharad Yadav said while development was the main issue in the Assembly polls, terrorism was the key issue in the national politics. He said Rajnath Singh had done a lot for the state and even struggled with the Centre to get more funds for development schemes.
Bureau Report