Lucknow, August 3
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Ms Mayawati, today disclosed that some political parties, in collusion with mafia gangs, had hatched a conspiracy to eliminate her.

She has sent letters to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, asking them to increase her security, though she already enjoys Z-plus security.

She did not name any political party but identified the gangs led by Atiq Ahmad and Brijesh Singh, who have been paid supari to kill her, she alleged.

Incidentally, Atiq is the state president of the Apna Dal and sitting legislator from the Allahabad (West) constituency. He was recently released from Naini jail in Allahabad. Brijesh Singh too enjoys political patronage as his brother Chulbul Singh is the BJP MLC from Varanasi. Brijesh is said to be close to former Chief Minister Rajnath Singh, who had played an instrumental role in making Chulbul Singh legislator.

Ms Mayawati claimed that she was told about the conspiracy to kill her today only. “I immediately informed Central leaders, including the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and even President of India, about the threat perception. I have asked the Central Government to initiate an independent probe into this matter,” she said.

The state government has started an inquiry into the incident. She, however, refused to divulge the details, citing “security reasons”.

Political pundits, however, see this revelation as an attempt to catch the Opposition on the wrong foot, particularly when the Assembly session is to start on August 8. Recently, Shiv Pal Singh Yadav, younger brother of Mulayam Singh Yadav, had met Atiq Ahmad when he was in Naini Jail. “The police will also investigate as why an SP leader went to meet a criminal in jail,” said the Chief Minister.

When asked why mafia gangs would try to kill her, Ms Mayawati said that probably the steps taken by her to improve the law and order situation had hit the mafia hard. Therefore, they along with some political parties, might have decided to eliminate her.