Centre playing politics over Pratapgarh incident: Mayawati

Lucknow, Mar 10 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Wednesday expressed her grief over the Pratapgarh incident and criticised the Central Government for playing politics in the name of providing funds.

“There was no help from the Centre. There was politics in the name of providing funds,” said Mayawati.

“The State Government helped to the fullest manner,” she added.

“The government would provide Rs 2.5 lakh to the family members of the dead and Rs 75,000 to those severely injured,” claimed Mayawati.

Mayawati had earlier claimed that the state was facing an ”acute financial crisis” and was not in a position to give any monetary compensation to the families of those killed or injured in Thursday”s (March 4) Pratapgarh stampede.

Around 63 people were killed in a stampede in Kripaluji Maharaj Ashram in Mangarh village of Pratapgarh District on March 4.

Mayawati urged the Central Government to compensate the victims” family.

Earlier, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had announced Rs. two-lakh compensation from the Prime Minister”s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of the victims of Pratapgarh stampede.

The preliminary report of investigation in Pratapgarh stampede blamed the local administration and the ashram authorities for the incident.

Four people including the manager of the Ashram have been arrested in connection with the stampede, which is being investigated by the Allahabad Divisional Commissioner. (ANI)

Mayawati slams Congress party’s austerity drive

Lucknow, Sep 18 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has ridiculed Congress party’s austerity drive, terming it as a ploy to steer attention away from the steep price rise.

Addressing a mass rally here on Thursday, Mayawati hit out at the Congress party, calling its austerity drive “a drama.”

“Because of the wrong doings by the Congress government at the centre, the prices are rising due to which poor people across the country are suffering. And now to cover up its weaknesses, they have cut down on its travelling expenses by flying economy class and travelling by train. All this is just a drama,” Mayawati said.

“With a drought looming and elections in some states approaching, the Congress-led government has embarked on a much-publicised austerity drive,” she added.

In a country where the hierarchy of politicians is determined by the size of their bungalows and their convoys, Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi has asked party leaders to give up a fifth of their salaries for drought-relief work, and she flew economy class on a commercial flight to Mumbai to launch the poll campaign.

The finance ministry has appealed for fewer overseas trips with smaller entourages, and a ban on conferences in luxury hotels.

Bharatiya Janata Party and other political parties have criticised the austerity measures in view of the economic downturn and drought-like situation prevailing in the country as a case of ‘tokenism’. (ANI)

Congress leadership behind Rita Bahuguna’s remark: Mayawati

Lucknow, July 16 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Thursday said the Congress high command is behind Uttar Pradesh Congress unit chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi’s objectionable remarks on her.

Addressing a press conference, Mayawati said: “The comments by Joshi are unpardonable. It is wrong to blame BSP for the attack on her house.”

“The Congress is behind the arson and not the BSP”, she added.

Condemning Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi for her silence on the incident, she said: “It is shameful that Sonia Gandhi has not taken any action against Joshi yet.”

The BSP chief also denied indulgence of her party’s men in any kind of violence.

Earlier, police arrested Joshi and a Moradabad court sent her to 14-day judicial remand for making remarks on Wednesday against Mayawati in an issue related to the rape and murder of some Dalit girls in Uttar Pradesh.

Joshi was arrested in Ghaziabad en route to New Delhi. She was charged under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989, for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Mayawati.

Joshi, however, has denied having said anything to offend Mayawati or Dalits.

“It was at a meeting in Moradabad that I had simply sought to draw the people’s attention to the fact that Mayawati’s dole of Rs.25,000 to every Dalit rape victim was quite ironical as the state police chief was spending lakhs on the helicopter ride that he undertakes to hand over that paltry amount to the victim,” Joshi told media persons. (ANI)

Ghaziabad court sends Rita Bahuguna Joshi to 14-day judicial custody

Moradabad (UP), July 16 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Congress unit chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi has been sent to 14 days judicial custody for allegedly making inflammatory remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati.

Joshi was arrested in Ghaziabad last night while on her way to Delhi.

She was booked under Section 153 A for (delivering inflammatory speeches), Section 109 of the IPC (using abusive language) and under provisions of the SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act.

Bahuguna had registered a complaint against Mayawati for inciting her party workers to attack and vandalise her home. A portion of her house was set a fire by BSP supporters last night.

There has been no move so far by the police to nab the culprits. No formal case has been registered. (ANI)

Mayawati expels party leader for questioning installation of statues

Dehradun, July 3 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has expelled Bahujan Samaj Party leader Munna Singh Chauhan from the party’s Uttarakhand unit for questioning her move to erect statues of her own in Uttar Pradesh.

Munna Singh Chauhan, who unsuccessfully contested the Tehri Lok Sabha seat in the recent general election as a BSP candidate, was shown the door for writing a letter to Mayawati suggesting a focus on the welfare activities for Dalit community rather than erecting statues.

Meghraj Singh, the President of the BSP Uttarakhand unit said that Chauhan was expelled from the party also for his inactiveness.

Chauhan resigned from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and from Vikasnagar assembly constituency, which he represented in Uttarakhand Assembly a few days before Lok Sabha polls to join BSP.

The expulsion of Chauhan came close on the heels of by election of Vikasnagar assembly constituency. (ANI)

Mayawati faces flak for hush-hush statue inaugurations

Lucknow, June 26 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati is facing flak from Congress leader Digvijay Singh and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav for unveiling a series of statues, memorials and parks across the state.

He said this while speaking to media persons at New Delhi on Friday.

On Thursday, Mayawati had formally inaugurated over 15 memorials in Lucknow, nine days ahead of schedule.

It is being speculated that a PIL filed by Delhi based lawyer Ravi Kant against such projects prompted the BSP chief to unveil the memorials in a hush so that the Supreme Court does not put the projects on hold.

“Mayawati is constructing huge structures in the same lines as it used to be in Roman Empire and Mughal Empire. An inquiry should be made from which mine the stones for the construction have been procured, who is the owner of the mine or has leased the mine. The public money is being wasted. Yesterday, the inauguration was done in a hurry as on July 3, public interest litigation (PIL) has to come-up for hearing in the Supreme Court. Public won’t forgive Mayawati,” said Singh.

Meanwhile, Mulayam Singh Yadav, chief of regional Samajwadi Party said that the state government in Uttar Pradesh is scared to face the public as such Mayawati had hurriedly inaugurated the memorial project.

“Such a Chief Minister doesn’t have the guts to face the public. She is scared. Her government is in distress. She wants to run the government quietly. We have razed a statue using a bulldozer at Lohia junction. Such acts are bound to happen,” said Yadav.

However, Mayawati has refuted allegations that she is misusing public funds to construct memorials, parks and museums dedicated to Dalit leaders. (ANI)

Mayawati lashes out at Congress

New Delhi/Amritsar, May 4 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has accused the Congress party-led Central Government of being biased while allocating development funds.
“The Congress-led UPA Government, showing their anti-Dalit mentality. It did not release 720 billion rupees for Dalit’s welfare from the special component plan, which was allotted to the different departments by the Central Planning Commission,” she said while addressing an election rally here on Sunday.

Mayawati’s BSP is pitted against the Congress and BJP in Delhi.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentarian Hema Malini campaigned for cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu in Amritsar.

Hema Malini, who is also famous as, ‘dream girl’ of Hindi cinema uttered dialogues from her well-known flicks to attract voters. (ANI)

Mayawati says a ‘dalit’s daughter’ should be made next PM

Ramaipur, Apr 25 (ANI): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Saturday said a ‘dalit’s daughter’ should be made the Prime Minister of the country.

Mayawati further said a dalit Prime Minister would ensure the upliftment of the backward and minority communities in the country.

“If you make a dalit’s daughter the Prime Minister, then UP will be famous in the entire world. If the BSP comes to power at the Centre, UP will occupy a special place,” Mayawati said at an election rally here.

The UP Chief Minister also asked people to vote for her party to ensure state’s development.

“Unless the BSP government is in power both at the Centre and the state, the country and Uttar Pradesh will not progress,” she added.

Mayawati also criticized Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for criticizing her government’s track-record on development.

“The Prime Minister is not at fault. He will speak what the Congress leaders will tell him to say,” she added.

The BSP supremo further said the Congress party was nervous about the growing support base of her party.

“The Congress is very nervous about the growing support base of the Bahujan Samaj Party and therefore its leaders are resorting to giving misleading statements. It was the UPA government, which had rejected her demand for a 80,000-crore development package which forced her party to withdraw support to the alliance,” Mayawati added. (ANI)

EC issues notice to Congress leader Digvijay Singh for violating Model Code

New Delhi, Apr.25 (ANI): The Election Commission of India on Saturday issued a notice to senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh for violating the Model Code of Conduct.

The commission’s notice said that Singh would need to explain his adverse comments against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati.

Mayawati is said to have lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister for seeking to invoke the use of the Central Bureau Investigation to warn her ruling Bahujan Samaj Party against harassing Congress workers in Uttar Pradesh.

Singh’s threat was issued at an election rally in Hardoi, Central UP, and invited an immediate reaction from Mayawati and the BJP, which has been accusing Congress of devaluing crucial institutions such as the Election Commission, CBI and the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

The Opposition saw Singh’s remarks as a vindication of its stand that CBI had become a mere tool in the hands of the principal ruling party to harass its political opponents.

Singh warned the BSP leadership against harassing state Congress leaders.

“I am challenging and warning the BSP leadership against victimising our party workers. Mayawati should not harass our party members as she has a CBI case pending against her and when we form the next government she will be in trouble,” he told the rally.

Singh’s remarks had his party colleagues scurrying for cover, but BSP and BJP pounced on them to corner Congress.

Mayawati, while addressing newspersons in Lucknow, spoke about how CBI was being used to threaten her. BJP, on the other hand, came out with a “we told you so” response.

Singh subsequently came out with a clarification.

“There is no question of any kind of threat. There have been a lot of complaints of Congress workers being harassed and falsely implicated in criminal cases in UP,” he said. (ANI)

BSP will take steps to combat terrorism: Mayawati

Lucknow, April 20 (IANS) Adequate measures will be taken to combat terrorism and Maoist insurgency if the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is voted to power in the centre, party supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati said Monday.

‘When it comes to power in the centre, the BSP will take enough steps to contain the growing terrorism and Maoist insurgency across the country,’ Mayawati said at an election rally in Ambedkarnagar district, some 200 km from here.

She criticised political parties for turning to film stars for election campaigns.

‘My political opponents are taking the support of various artistes, actors and also those involved in fake Gandhigiri to pull crowds to their public meetings. But this will not help my opponents to convert the crowds into votes,’ said Mayawati.

The rival Samajwadi Party’s general secretary and Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt popularised the term Gandhigiri (following Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings of peace and harmony) with his hit film ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’. He has also been using the term extensively while campaigning for his party.

At her rally, Mayawati also accused the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) of ignoring development of the state.

‘The UPA government has completely ignored the state. Despite my several requests to release a special package of Rs.80,000 crore (Rs.800 billion) for the development of the state, it has still not done nothing,’ said Mayawati.

She urged the public to ensure that neither the Congress nor the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) form the government in the centre.
Indo Asian News Service

Mayawati upset with EC over transfer of top state officer

Lucknow, Apr 8 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Wednesday criticised the Election Commission for its decision to transfer UP Principal Secretary of Home Kunwar Fateh Bahadur.

Accusing the commission of demoralizing officers of the state ahead of the first phase of elections, Mayawati said the decision may lead to problems in the law and order situation in the state.

Talking to reporters here, Mayawati said, “Removing of the officer just due to political reasons on basis of their baseless allegation will demoralize officers of the state due to which law and order problem could erupt in the state.”

“EC will be responsible if there is any terrorist or Naxal problem or any incident happens with me or any other leader during campaigning,” warned Mayawati.

The Election Commission on Tuesday had ordered the removal of Kunwar Fateh Bahadur following complaints from opposition parties.

In a memoranda submitted to Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami, the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party had urged the removal of some senior state officials.

Mayawati assured that the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) party government in the state is committed to hold free and fair polls.

“I have not only directed the officials, but also party candidates, office-bearers and workers that they must adhere by the model code of conduct and cooperate with the government machinery,” she informed.

The elections in Uttar Pradesh would be held in five phases: April 16, 23, 30 and May 7 and May 13. (ANI)

Maneka Gandhi should have brought up son better: Mayawati

Lucknow, April 4 (IANS) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Saturday slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Maneka Gandhi, saying she should have brought up her son Varun better rather than defending him. Varun Gandhi is in jail, facing a charge of delivering campaign speeches vilifying Muslims.

Addressing a press conference here, Mayawati tore into Maneka Gandhi for her remarks that only a mother could understand her feelings.

Terming Maneka Gandhi’s remarks ‘insinuating’, the BSP chief said: ‘Let me tell Menaka that even Mother Teresa did not have children but understood the feelings of millions of children.’ Mayawati is unmarried.

She continued: ‘Rather than teaching her son some manners and telling him how to behave, she is going about defending him, which is condemnable.’

Mayawati demanded that Maneka Gandhi should seek pardon from her and the entire country for the remarks made against her.

Citing rules of the jail administration, the authorities had Friday asked Maneka to not meet her son Varun in Etah jail. Following this, Maneka had said that if Mayawati had been a mother she would have understand a mother’s pain.

‘I want to say that Maneka is mother of one (Varun), while I take care of hundreds and understand the pain of crores of mothers,’ Mayawati said.

Defending her decision to slap the stringent National Security Act on Varun Gandhi, Mayawati said the action was ‘fully justified’.

‘I am fully justified in taking the most stern action against him because what he did was unpardonable, and anyone indulging in such acts, no matter how high and mighty, would receive the same treatment in my regime and will not be spared under any circumstances,’ the chief minister said.

Varun Gandhi, the BJP’s Pilibhit candidate, is in Etah jail. He has been slapped with charges under the National Security Act following campaign speeches vilifying Muslims that have purportedly been delivered by him

Congress, BJP policies influenced by big houses, brokers: Mayawati

Bhagalpur, Mar 29 (ANI): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Sunday claimed that her party was the only alternative to the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), whose policies are influenced by big houses and brokers.

“The BSP is the only alternative to the Congress and the BJP,” Mayawati told a rally here.

The BSP supremo blamed the Congress and the BJP for ruining country during their stints in power.

“These parties had grabbed power on the support of big industrial players and brokers and ruined the country during their stints in power. The country’s economy will never improve if its policies are being influenced by big houses and brokers,” She added.

Mayawati said her party was committed to build an equitable society.

“The BSP will ensure reservations for the well-being of all castes without being confined to the Dalits’ interests alone,” she added.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister claimed that the opposition parties were worried to see her party’s clean and fair image.

“It is high time the BSP should come to power at the Centre. The Opposition parties are worried because of the BSP’s clean, fair image and performance,” she added. (ANI)

Mayawati urges people to vote out Congress, BJP

Hyderabad, Mar 23 (ANI): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Monday urged people to vote out parties like the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“Vote out the Congress and the BJP for the betterment of your lives,” Mayawati said while addressing a public meeting at the Nizam College Grounds here.

Mayawati was here to launch her party’s campaign for the upcoming general elections.

She blamed the policies of the Congress for the troubles faced by the downtrodden sections of the society.

“Poor farmers, workers, traders and virtually every section of the society is facing problems because of the gross neglect of the Congress,” she said.

The BSP supremo also appealed people to vote for the newly formed Third Front to uplift the downtrodden sections of the society. (ANI)

‘Political dinner’ starts at Mayawati’s residence in New Delhi

New Delhi, March 15 (ANI): The ‘political dinner’ has started at the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati’s residence here just a while ago with leaders representing all eleven parties of the newly formed Third Front being present. he first meeting of the Third Front since its launch in Karnataka is crucial, as the name of coalition’s prime ministerial candidate is likely to be decided, besides a discussion on the poll strategy.

Also the dinner party holds significance, as a decision over projection of Third Front’s Prime Ministerial candidate is likely to affect the support and strength of the front.

Although the BSP has denied that Mayawati has given any ultimatum to the Third Front over prime ministerial ambitions, sources claim that she is all set to emerge as the top nominee after today’s meeting.

Mayawati’s party has already announced that it would contest the Lok Sabha elections alone.

Leaders of four Left parties and that of the TDP, TRS, AIADMK, JD(S) and Haryana Janhit Congress are present in the dinner meet.

Meanwhile, Mayawati may address a press conference later in the evening.

In Lok Sabha elections 2004, the Third Front managed to get 59 seats. This year, big partners like TDP and AIDMK along with Mayawati’s BSP are aiming for 140-150 seats.

With BJD joining the coalition, other smaller parties of the NDA or the UPA are likely to the follow the suit, and make the so-called lightweight a powerful alternative. (ANI)

BSP will contest general elections alone, says Mayawati

New Delhi, Mar 15 (ANI): Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati said on Sunday that her party will not form an alliance with any political party for the general elections this time.

Addressing a gathering at the Hotel Taj Mansingh here on the birth anniversary of BSP founder Kanshi Ram, Mayawati said: “This time the Bahujan Samaj Party will fight the elections on its own. It will not align with any other political party.”

“BSP believes in doing much and talking less… we hope to get good results in these elections,” she added.

Mayawati further clarified that the discussions on the Third Front’s electoral strategy and her being a potential prime ministerial candidate is not on her agenda.

However, she called for cooperation from the Left and other regional parties to keep the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out of power.

Mayawati, who has invited the Third Front for a dinner meeting on Sunday, has dismissed reports of having given any ultimatum of 48 hours to the Third Front to declare her as their prime ministerial candidate.

“BSP strongly condemns such reports, which are being planted by BJP and Congress for last two days after they found out the third front getting stronger and emerging as an option for the people suffering due to their misrule for years,” party General Secretary Satish Chandra Mishra said in press release. (ANI)

Mayawati wants to be Third Front’s prime ministerial candidate

Lucknow, Mar. (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati reportedly is keen to be the newly-constituted Third Front’s Prime Ministerial Candidate.

The decision on who will eventually be the candidate will be made on March 15 at a dinner in Lucknow. Most likely, Mayawati is going to be newly formed coalition’s nominee for the top slot.

Sources claimed that Mayawati wants the Third Front to finalize the PM candidate by March 15, which also marks BSP founder Kanshi Ram’s birth anniversary.

She revealed her ambition soon after Third Front’s was launched.

There are very few candidates to choose from for the post, so the battle won’t be that keen.
It is believed that Mayawati, who was in two minds about joining the coalition, sent her second-in-command Mishra, to the launch a rally only after being assured of the top slot. (ANI)

Mayawati’s critics join hands to weaken BSP

Lucknow, Mar. 9 (ANI): Critics and former lieutenants of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati have joined hands with the objective of derailing her poll aspirations in 2009.

They have formed an alliance called the Adhikar Manch, which would contest all 80 seats in the state.

The coalition, which started campaigning even before dates were announced, includes ex-BSP rank holder and chief of the regional party Apna Dal, Sone Lal Patel, Om Prakash Rajbhar, who led the Bhartiya Samaj Party and ex-cabinet minister R K Chaudhary, who is the sitting MLA from Mohanlalganj.

National Loktantrik Hind Party (NLHP) chief Masood also plans to contest from at least six seats. The other constituents of the Adhikar Manch include Vanchit Jamat Party, Lokpriya Samaj Party and Bhartiya Sarvodaya Party of Raja Ram Pal, former BSP state president.

“Though I was approached by the Samajwadi Party, which wanted me to contest from Ghosi, I declined the offer and decided to align with like-minded parties. My party will contest on 18 seats in Poorvanchal region of the state, for which candidates have already been finalized,” Rajbhar said.

“Seat sharing between all the constituents has been finalised. It has been decided that all the alliance partners will campaign for candidates,” Rajbhar added. (ANI)

Mayawati says Sonia Gandhi’s birthday should be observed as ‘Ghulami Diwas’

Lucknow, Jan.15 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Thursday used her 53rd birthday celebrations to urge her supporters to observe Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s birthday as “Ghulami Diwas”, or “Slavery Day”.

Targetting each of her political rivals on the occasion, she also said that her predecessor and Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav’s birthday should be observed as “Dalal Diwas”, or “Brokers’ Day”.

“If I also decide to call them names just as they have been doing with me, I could teach the opposition parties a proper lesson in their own language,” Mayawati told the select gathering that converged at her official residence to greet her on her birthday.

“In that case, if I wanted, I could have got my party men to observe Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s birthday as ‘Ghulami Diwas’, considering that she was ruling the country despite being a person of foreign origin – a charge repeatedly levelled against her by several other political parties,” the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief quipped.

“In view of their blatant hobnobbing with big business houses, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav’s birthday could be observed as ‘Dalal Diwas’ (Brokers’ Day).”

As far as the Bharatiya Janata Party was concerned, the birthdays of its leaders could conveniently be termed as “Dhokadhari Diwas” (Cheating Day) for the way they had time and again let the leaders of other parties and the general public down.

“But instead of indulging in any such cheap act, we decided to stage dignified protests in each of Uttar Pradesh’s 403 state assembly constituencies as well as in several other parts of the country where our party men would hold demonstrations to mark their condemnation of the entire opposition tirade against me.”

These demonstrations have been termed as “Virodhi Party Dhikkar Diwas” (Day of Condemnation of Opposition Parties).

Mayawati’ birthday is celebrated as “Arthik Sahayog Diwas” or “Economic Upliftment Day” when party workers collect funds for her Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP). (ANI)