`BAHUJAN' POWER: Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati, flanked by supporters carrying a huge garland, waves to the gathering at a party rally in Hyderabad on Tuesday. -- PHOTO: P.V.SIVAKUMAR

HYDERABAD: Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati has urged the Centre to direct the Andhra Pradesh Government to pass a resolution in the Assembly on creation of Telangana.

Making this demand at a public meeting organised at Nizam College here on Tuesday, Ms. Mayawati said she had written to the Prime Minister in support of the demand. "As the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, I was instrumental in creation of Uttaranchal State," she noted. Her party would include the demand of separate Telangana in its election manifesto.

Decrying the neglect of the oppressed and Dalits, she blamed their plight to the influence of the `Manuvadi' forces, which had been ruling the country.

The BSP chief strongly favoured retention of SC status to all Dalit Hindus, who converted to other religions. She demanded separate reservations for Muslims in Government services. Former MP and BSP general secretary B. L. Khabri, State president P. Lalaiah and former president Y. Shankar Goud were present.

`Living goddess'

Describing herself as a living goddess, Ms. Mayawati appealed to the cadre to donate liberally to the party fund so that she could continue her tireless work for the uplift of Dalits and minorities.

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