M A I N   N E W S

Hands off my parks, Maya tells Akhilesh
Tribune News Service

Lucknow, April 14
Warning of a grave law and order situation not only in Uttar Pradesh but across the country if the Dalit memorial parks were tampered with, former Chief Minister Mayawati today cautioned the Samajwadi Party government against attempting building anything in these parks.

What Akhilesh said Soon after assuming office, CM Akhilesh Yadav had assured that he would not demolish the various parks and statues but may make them more productive by building hospitals and colleges in the empty spaces available in the sprawling parks.

Maya Belligerent BSP supremo said that the SP government should not create a fresh problem by attempting to undertake any fresh construction in the various parks, memorials and museums constructed in honour of the Dalit icons.

Speaking to the media after garlanding the massive statue of Baba Saheb Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar at the renovated Ambedkar Park in Gomti Nagar on the occasion of his birth anniversary, BSP supremo said the SP government should not create a fresh problem by attempting to undertake any construction in the various parks, memorials and museums constructed in honour of the Dalit icons.

While responding to a question, Akhilesh had assured that he would not demolish the various parks and statues but may make them more productive by building hospitals and colleges in the empty spaces available in the sprawling parks.

Mayawati accused the ruling party of not respecting the sentiments of the Dalits and backwards by failing to hold an official function or releasing advertisements in newspapers in honour of Dr Ambedkar on the occasion of his birth anniversary.

In his first meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi today, Akhilesh Yadav spelt out his government’s priorities and asked for speedy approval of projects awaiting Central clearance and assistance.

The CM requested a smooth transfer of Central funds to accelerate development projects, especially in the infrastructure sector, which was his government’s top priority.