Mayawati justifies caste-based rallies, demands ban on RSS and VHP

Lucknow, Jul 15: Justifying caste-based rallies organized by her party, BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday said the courts should instead ban religion-based organizations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which claim that they are not political but in reality control parties like BJP through remote control. "These organizations also decide prime ministerial candidate and policies of the BJP," she told reporters. Such religion-based politics is threat to national unity, she said.

Mayawati warned her party MP Vijay Bahadur Singh for supporting Gujarat chief minister and BJP campaign committee chairperson Narendra Modi for latter's 'puppy remark' related to the 2002 riots. She said that Singh gave statement in his personal capacity and party has nothing to do with it. She said Vijay Bahadur Singh had defied party line because BSP has decided not to give him ticket for the next Lok Sabha election.

Mayawati said she will expel Singh from the party, if he continued to act and speak against the party line. The BSP chief described Modi's remark as insensitive and communal. Mayawati had earlier said that Modi is not fit to become the prime minister.

Reacting to the high court's stay on caste-based rallies, Mayawati said rallies organized by her party are aimed at uniting people of all sections of the society and not for political gains. She said that the BSP will continue to organize rallies to promote brotherhood among all castes and communities.

However, we will keep in mind that such rallies do not appear to be casteist, the former UP chief minister said. Mayawati claimed that teachings of saints like Narayana Guru were the guiding principle for her party.

Mayawati also said she did not agree with Supreme Court's decision banning those in jail from contesting elections. She said such a provision could be misused by the ruling party in a state and at the Centre.

Demanding President's rule in UP, Mayawati said poor law and order was adversely affecting development in the state.

The BSP chief alleged that the SP government was neck-deep in corruption. Mayawati said when she was in power she did not hesitate in sacking ministers. However, the SP has inducted family members of Babu Singh Kushwaha, minister in BSP regime, whom she had expelled after his name figured in NRHM scam, she said.