Vote for change, beware of Congress: Mayawati, Akhilesh

SP-BSP-RLD grand alliance on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and declared that the Lok Sabha elections were for heralding a change and installing a new government at the Centre.

Addressing a joint rally of the grand alliance here, BSP supremo Mayawati also cautioned the voters not to be swayed by emotions and split the votes by voting for the Congress nominees in the region.

“I want to appeal to the Muslims, Congress is not in a position to take on the BJP. Congress believes that they may not win, but they also do not want the grand alliance to win,” Mayawati said at the massive rally that was also attended by SP President Akhilesh Yadav and RLD chief Ajit Singh.

Targeting the Congress, she urged the voters not to fall for the “false promises” made by Rahul Gandhi.

“Rahul Gandhi’s grandmother Indira Gandhi also made a 20-point programme to remove poverty, but was it effective," she asked.

Congress is trying to help the BJP in this election, Mayawati said accusing the grand old party of trying to split Muslim votes by fielding Imran Masood against the alliance nominee Fazlur Rahman, whose candidature was announced much earlier.

Eight Lok Sabha constituencies in western Uttar Pradesh goes to polls on April 11, the first phase of the staggered general elections.

The region is dominated by Muslims, Jats, Gujjars, SC and upper caste voters. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, a split in the votes due to a four-cornered contest had ensured a landslide victory in favour of the BJP.

“This elections is for creating history...This alliance is for electing a new prime minister. This alliance is not of milavat (adulteration), but for heralding change,” Akhilesh Yadav, former chief minister and SP chief, told the rally teeming with flag-waving supporters of the three parties.

“You have given a clear message by your huge presence here. The BJP is going to be wiped out. This is an election for change,” RLD chief and former Union Minister Ajit Singh said.
Singh said Modi was elected as the prime minister of the country, “but he remained the Prime Minister of the BJP.”

Invoking B R Ambedkar, Singh reminded the rally of the power the founding father of the constitution had given to the people.

“The poor person can bring in change every five years through his vote,” he said urging voters to exercise their franchise wisely.

Singh, a farmers’ leader, dismissed the Modi government’s income support scheme for small and marginal farmers.

“Modiji is saying ‘give me votes, I will give you Rs 2000’. Farmers do not want your alms, we will earn our living,” he said.