JOIN USOpponents disrespect Dalit icons: Maya
As the Assembly poll in Uttar Pradesh approaches, UP Chief Minister and BSP supremo Mayawati’s manoeuvres to mobilise the Dalit electorate in the state into voting for BSP gains momentum.
After an attempt to gain political leverage from the EC’s directive to cover statues of elephants and the CM herself in UP, Mayawati on Friday accused her political opponents of disrespecting the Dalit icons by criticising her for erecting their statutes and constructing memorials in their honour, thus playing the ‘Dalit pride’ card.
“Our opponents have no respect for Dalit icons...our government has been criticised for erecting their statues and constructing parks and memorials after them...you must ensure the win of BSP to give them a befitting reply,” Mayawati said while addressing an election meeting at Faizabad, about 125 kilometers from here.
The BSP supremo also sought to woo small traders and farmers by raising the issue of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail.
“If owing to your mistake, the Congress returns to power, it will bring in FDI in retail trade rendering small traders and marginal farmers jobless and then you will have no option but to migrate to other cities for livelihood,” she said.
She also targeted the Samajwadi Party (SP) saying that the party’s return to power would usher a “jungle raj” in the state. “And if you bring BJP in power, the minority community will not be safe,” she added.
Mayawati asked the people to come out in large numbers on the polling day and vote for BSP to ensure development of the state. “You must go to the polling booth and also make sure that your relatives and friends also do the same,” she said.