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BJP out to exploit Kargil, says Ajit Singh

Rashtriya Lok Dal president and former Union minister Ajit Singh on Thursday accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led government of turning the Kargil crisis into an election issue 'as it was devoid of any achievement to face the electorate.'

He said in New Delhi that the BJP was out to exploit the Kargil war for political ends, and its leaders were concentrating on the conflict in their poll speeches.

''They are not touching on the burning problems of the people but working hard to raise emotions over the war and take credit for the victory as if the war had been fought by their activists and not the troops,'' he said.

He urged the Election Commission to ban the publication of poll surveys, documentaries and other programmes based on the Kargil conflict, all of which, he said, were aimed at political mileage.

He also opposed the launch of the 24-hour news channel by Doordarshan, as that could be done after the poll.

Singh sought to justify his seat adjustment with the Congress in western Uttar Pradesh, saying the need of the hour was to fight the BJP in that crucial state. The BJP, he continued, was bound to suffer due to its castiest policies and also because the ''social equation was changing.''

As if to prove his claim, Singh announced that two former BJP MPs -- Swami Sureshanand (Jalesar) and Mangal Ram Premi (Bijnore) -- and Samajwadi Party MLA Ameer Alam Khan had joined his party.

The RLD leader said he would announce his party candidates within a day or two.

UNI

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