Ekta Parishad threatens to hit the streets on land issue

Interacting with reporters here, Ekta Parishad chief Rajagopal P. V. Advised the government to act in interest of the poor people, as it is a "crime" to promote a development model which will serve only a handful of people.

"I think we will keep our army ready, when there is a battle, we will be there...", he said.

"It is better for the government to come forward and act in interest of poor people. You can't keep 65 per cent (of people) below the poverty line and continue to promote a development model that will benefit only a handful of people. This is a crime," he said.

Replying to a question on the view expressed by the central government that land is a state subject and it does not have enough constitutional powers to deal with the issue, Rajgopal retorted by asking why it is then forming policies for land acquisitions and Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

"If land is a state subject, why do you enact Land Acquisition Act to acquire land of farmers? Leave it to the states. Why are you making SEZ Act and taking the land of farmers and making SEZs for industrialists," he said.