BJP set to launch campaign in U.P.

Special Correspondent

Manifesto will be released after Ram Navmi festival, says Venkaiah Naidu

Issues relating to farmers, law and order to be raised Congress, CPI (M) criticised on Nandigram issue

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party is all set to launch its campaign in Uttar Pradesh, where multi-phase polls are to be held for the Assembly.

The party, which has entered into a pre-poll alliance with Janata Dal (U) and Apna Dal, will release its manifesto next week.

Talking to reporters here on Saturday, senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member M. Venkaiah Naidu said the manifesto would be released after the Ram Navmi festival on Tuesday. Senior BJP leaders would address rallies at several places in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

"Mood upbeat"

Mr. Naidu, who visited Kanpur and Agra, said the mood of the party workers was "upbeat" and predicted comfortable victory for the BJP and its allies. "The ruling Samajwadi Party will be nowhere in sight and `Rahu Kaal’ has eclipsed the Congress," he said. Issues relating to the farmers and law and order would be raised during the campaign.

Asked about party’s MP from Gorakhpur Yogi Adityanath, who is sulking over distribution of ticket, Mr. Naidu hinted at possible reconciliation with him.

"Our leaders will talk to him and it is an internal party mechanism. We will sort it out."

Mr. Naidu criticised both the Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) over the Nandigram police firing in West Bengal in which 14 farmers were killed. He accused the ruling United Progressive Alliance coalition of adopting a casual approach toward disputes over Special Economic Zones (SEZs).