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Wooing voters in the name of late Kanshi Ram who hailed from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Saturday asked the electorate to give the Bahujan Samaj Party a chance to fulfil the party founder's dream to have a government in his native state.
"Kanshi Ram belonged to Punjab and always wanted to make a government in this state. Though his wish was not fulfilled in Punjab, his party's government was made in Uttar Pradesh four times. Now we are looking ahead to fulfil his dream in this state. We will implement the same development schemes that we have already executed in Uttar Pradesh," she said addressing her first election rally in the state.
Holding Congress' economic policies responsible for spiralling prices that has hit the common man, the BSP chief said having schemes and promising ration at cheap rates for the poor was not enough because at the ground level the poor were not benefitting.
Describing Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party as the parties which had occupied power both in the states and at the Centre for most of the years post Independence, he said people from SC, ST, backward class and minority segments are still suffering.
She also argued that Naxalism and terrorism result from social discontent as vast sections continue to suffer.
Projecting her party as the only alternative, she said, "BSP, which has lifted the status of the poor in a big way in Uttar Pradesh, is the only option left (for people to vote)."
Mayawati said BSP does not want any favour from the corporate or big business families and always banks upon the people's support.
BSP is contesting Punjab polls on its own. Having contested polls last time as well, the party failed to win any seat. BSP founder Kanshi Ram had once won Lok Sabha election from Hoshiarpur seat, but thereafter BSP has failed to make its presence felt in the state.
"We will constitute our government alone in Punjab that is why we have not joined hands with any other political party. While allotting tickets, we have given representation to people from all sections of the society. We have made sure that all candidates have a clean record...," she said.
Taking a dig at the Shiromoni Akali Dal-BJP government in Punjab, Mayawati said, "Punjab's dalits, minorities and weaker section people are still living a miserable life".
Highlighting a number of welfare schemes implemented by her government in UP, she promised similar initiatives in the state if voted to power.