BJP's base is shrinking across the country: Mayawati

Virtually sounding the bugle for the 2017 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati on Thursday attacked the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party, claiming they have "failed" on all fronts, and promised a society free of fear and corruption if she is voted to power.

"Dump the SP and the BJP in the assembly elections. Not just that, you ensure that their candidates forfeit their security deposits," she said at a public meeting on the occasion of 125th birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar.

The BSP supremo also ridiculed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for "not taking cognisance" of suicides by Dalit students when his party was in power.

"Now the 'yuvaraj' (prince) is indulging in theatrics," she said referring to Rohith Vemula suicide in Hyderabad.

Coming down heavily on the Samajwadi Party government in the state for "failing on all fronts", the BSP chief asked people to ensure thumping majority for her party in UP polls to usher in fear and corruption-free society.

She asked people to be wary of the Congress, the BJP and the SP, saying they indulged in just issuing hollow statements. Mayawati slammed the Narendra Modi government for "failing" to get back black money from abroad as promised during Lok Sabha elections.

"I have noticed that the BJP's base is shrinking across the country," she said.

On Modi's foreign visits, Mayawati said he was embarking on these tours to "pat his back" and was "misusing people's money".

She alleged that BJP was trying to implement "Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh agenda" in higher education institutions and playing "dirty tricks" for this.

Mayawati poked fun at the Modi government for its decision to run a bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad with the help of Japan, saying it was of no use to the poor.     

"Had this money been spent elsewhere, schemes such as the MNREGS and others could have been started and poor would have been helped," she said.

Referring to the issue of chanting "Bharat mata ki jai", Mayawati said it was not mandatory and there were other ways to show patriotism.

"We in BSP say Jai Bheem and Jai Bharat. Some say Jai Hind. It's not necessary to chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai, for which BJP is making a big hue and cry," she said.

Targetting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav Mayawati said, "How can one expect welfare from a person who is busy in organising a lavish fair in Saifai (Etawah),

undertaking foreign tours and playing matches with officers? Officers can ensure your victory in matches, but not in assembly polls."

Asserting that "law and order and development" would be main focus of her government if BSP was voted to power, Mayawati said, "Decisions taken by the present government on the basis of caste will be reviewed and action taken accordingly."

Image: Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati promising a society free of fear and corruption if she is voted to powerat the rally in Lucknow. Photograph: Sandeep Pal