The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Mayawati hits campaign trail

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 21, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Other States

Other States - Orissa

Mayawati hits campaign trail

Special Correspondent

Promises three acres of cultivable land

Mayawati

BHUBANESWAR: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati on Sunday launched her party’s election campaign in Orissa by announcing sops for both weaker sections and the economically poor among the upper caste.

If voted to power in the State, the BSP Government will give patta for three acres of cultivable government land to each poor and needy family, Ms. Mayawati said at a State level Sarbajan Bhatrubhav Mahasamavesh here.

As Assembly polls were to be held in Orissa simultaneously with the general elections in early 2009 there was not much time in hand to prepare for the polls, she told the thousands of her supporters who had gathered at the rally coming from different corners of the State.

In an attempt to attract the upper caste people towards her party, Ms. Mayawati clarified that nobody should have the notion that BSP was devoted to the cause of the weaker sections and Dalits.

“Unless those belonging to the upper caste people join the party we cannot form government to work for the benefit of all sections of the society,” she said, while urging the party workers to induct upper caste people into the party.

‘Success stories’

Citing various success stories of her government in Uttar Pradesh where BSP had been voted to power four times so far, Ms. Mayawati said if voted to power at the Centre and other States she would strive to ensure reservation benefit for the economically poor among the upper caste.

Expressing grave concern over the plight of the millions of the poor who were yet to get access to basic needs of life even six decades after Independence, the BSP chief came down heavily on the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and their allies for their `failure’ to solve the problems of the common man. “These parties should be prevented from coming to power at the Centre as well as in different States,” she said.

Talking about the problems facing the tribals in Orissa, Ms. Mayawati cautioned both the Centre and the State Government against displacing the tribal families living in forest areas without taking measures for their rehabilitation.

In his address, senior BSP leader Satish Mishra spoke about the welfare measures that Mayawati Government was taking in Uttar Pradesh.

Terming Ms. Mayawati as the future Prime Minister of the country, Mr. Mishra also urged the upper caste people to join the BSP in a big way.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States