<p>Frustrated over his ‘failure’ to ensure development of Dalits and because of ‘apathy’ by public representatives towards them, a former BSP leader on Monday committed suicide by setting himself ablaze in Azamgarh town.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Baliram Prasad, 65, killed himself at Ambedkar Park at 11 pm, police said. “He was rushed to hospital, where he died later,” said superintendent of police V S Meena.<br /><br />Prasad allegedly consumed some poisonous substance before pouring kerosene over his body and setting himself on fire, police said. He left a suicide note.<br /><br />“Public representatives are getting richer by taking the name of Ambedkar, but Dalits continue to live in abject poverty. Leaders have nothing to do with the problems of the poor. I am frustrated and concerned,” the note stated.<br /><br />Prasad, who contested the Assembly polls on a BSP ticket a few years back, wrote that Dalits had been suffering and were being persecuted. <br /><br />Meena said police were trying to ascertain whether Prasad was being persecuted.</p>
<p>Frustrated over his ‘failure’ to ensure development of Dalits and because of ‘apathy’ by public representatives towards them, a former BSP leader on Monday committed suicide by setting himself ablaze in Azamgarh town.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Baliram Prasad, 65, killed himself at Ambedkar Park at 11 pm, police said. “He was rushed to hospital, where he died later,” said superintendent of police V S Meena.<br /><br />Prasad allegedly consumed some poisonous substance before pouring kerosene over his body and setting himself on fire, police said. He left a suicide note.<br /><br />“Public representatives are getting richer by taking the name of Ambedkar, but Dalits continue to live in abject poverty. Leaders have nothing to do with the problems of the poor. I am frustrated and concerned,” the note stated.<br /><br />Prasad, who contested the Assembly polls on a BSP ticket a few years back, wrote that Dalits had been suffering and were being persecuted. <br /><br />Meena said police were trying to ascertain whether Prasad was being persecuted.</p>
