Striking a strident anti-Dalit stance, six-time independent MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya on Friday said he would float a new party opposed to reservation in promotions and the "draconian" provisions of the SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The former minister, who represents Kunda assembly constituency, said the new party would have 'Jansatta' (people's power) as its prefix.
He said the Election Commission had been approached for the registration of the new party as "Jansatta Party", "Jansatta Loktantrik Party" or "Jansatta Dal".
Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Raja Bhaiya said he was also opposed to immediate arrest in case of registration of FIR under the SC, ST Act.
No investigation is required under the SC, ST Act before an arrest is made, he said, adding that this should change and the arrest should be made only after investigation.
The MLA from Kunda said there should be no discrimination on basis of caste in the distribution of compensation and ex gratia to the rape victims. He said rape was a heinous crime and the victim, irrespective of caste and creed, should be compensated by the government.
"Reservation in promotion for Dalits is inappropriate. Promotions should be based only on merit and seniority as people join state government services after passing tough competition," Raja Bhaiya said, adding that the wards of IAS and IPS officers should be barred from reservation as even the poor people were denied the Antyodaya ration cards meant for those below poverty line as they moved upwards in the economic ladder.
Justifying the formation of a new political party, the independent MLA said there were already many political outfits and many more would come up in future but his party would focus on specific issues concerning the lives of the masses. "People are enthused over my floating a new party," he added.
Asked whether his party would forge alliance with other parties, Raja Bhaiya said, "This question should be posed to other political parties, whether they want to ally with us on the issues we are focusing on."
He said the main agenda of his new party would be to raise the issues related to disparity in the reservation system vis-à-vis non-Dalits and issues concerning the youths.
Refusing to say anything when asked whether his party would contest the Lok Sabha polls in 2019 or he would go for an alliance in the elections, the Independent MLA clarified that the decision on contesting the election would be taken after the ECI recognised his party.
The MLA from Kunda, who completes his silver jubilee in politics on November 25, has already announced to hold a big rally in Lucknow on November 30.
Asked about the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Raja Bhaiya refused to make any comment on the issue or on Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh and the Narendra Modi at the Centre. He, however, said, "We will accept the verdict of the Supreme Court on this issue."
Reverting to his main agenda, Raja Bhaiya said. "My party will fight for the cause of the non-Dalits who face discrimination at various levels in government and its controlled institutions."
