V P Singh returns to active politics after 7 yrs

In fact, Singh said, the subsidy of thousands of crores of rupees earmarked for the PDS in the name of the poor has hardly reached the targeted group. Thousands of bogus ration cards are in circulation which results in gobbling up of PDS foodgrain stocks, he said. In this context, Singh quoted President K R Naraynan’s Republic Day speech which stated that the poor had not been given even safe crossing in the mindless path ofglobalisation.

He warned those at the helm of affairs that if the poor were ignored any more, the hungry would be left with no choice but to take their own recourse. In this context he made oblique reference to the ongoing Naxalite activities in Andhra Pradesh.

Summing up the prevailing scenario, Singh said perpetual denial of education, healthcare and other facilities to the poor had relegated them to a deep abyss from where they could be retrieved only through their empowerment. They could not get their due rights unless they succeeded in acquiring a share in power through active participation in country’s political affairs.

In his reply to a question, Singh admitted that the conditions of the poor can’t improve without a change in the existing system. He said there was nothing wrong in making a humble beginning, but he did not want to use this platform as a stepping stone to power.

Several local dalit leaders including Jai Bhawan Jatav and those belonging to erswhile Janata Party, Rashtriya Morchaand splinter groups of Janata Dal participated in the meeting which was addressed by Singh.

The former PM said he would also visit the slums and bastis in New Delhi.