New Socialist Movement to contest 3 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat, may have tie-up with AAP

AHMEDABAD: The newly formed New Socialist Movement ( NSM) will contest on three Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat and may have a tie-up with Aam Aadmi Party.

"Talks are going on with AAP for sharing of seats in the Lok Sabha elections in order to avoid any clash. We will oppose BJP and Congress, because their policies are anti-people. We plan to contest on three seats," NSM general secretary Amrish Patel told reporters here.

NSM is an organisation borne out of civil society group Jan Sangharsh Manch (JSM) which was formed by eminent lawyer Mukul Sinha who has been taking up the cause of 2002 riot victims and encounter victims in Gujarat.

Patel said NSM would contest three seats - one each from North, Central and South Gujarat.

"Valsad in South Gujarat is a seat where we have a good hold. We will contest from Valsad as we have mobilised support for NSM there. The other two seats are yet to be decided."

The main agenda of NSM for the election is regularisation of all types of temporary full-time jobs and payment of regular wages to all employees of public and private sector.

"The contract labour system should be abolished while a national minimum wage should be declared," Patel said.

Pitching for a comprehensive anti-communal violence bill, Patel said a special force should be created in each state under an independent statutory body to prevent communal violence and investigate and prosecute culprits.