JOIN USAfter defeat, Maya files RS nomination
Outgoing Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati is all set to head to Delhi again when she filed her nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief said her party workers wanted her to play an active role in national politics and expand the base of the party beyond UP.
“Since the Samajwadi Party has won the polls, incidents of violence and atrocities on the people have increased manifold.... My party leaders want me to raise these issues forcefully in Parliament,” she said after filing the nomination papers.
BSP leader Munkad Ali also filed his nomination paper for the Upper House with her.
Mayawati is a member of the state legislative council.
Mayawati took the RS route in 2003 after she her party was defeated by Mulayam’s party. She returned to state politics after she won the 2007 Assembly elections.
Challenge
Meanwhile, Chief minister designate of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday challenged her to remain in UP and fight him rather than focus on national politics.
Yadav, who arrived from Delhi after attending the opening day of the budget session of the Parliament, said he would have liked Mayawati to remain in UP and fight him in the state. “I am also going to be a member of the state legislative council...she also is a member of the council...she should have tried to corner me there,” he said. “What will she do in Rajya Sabha...fight the prime minister?” he asked.
He also lashed out at Mayawati for alleging that violence in the state has increased after the SP secured absolute majority in the poll. “The officers loyal to the previous regime have been fuelling trouble.” he retorted.
Speaking on West bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s decision to keep off from his swearing-in ceremony, Yadav said nothing much should be read into it.