Jammu, November 18
Bahujan Samaj Party supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has switched over from social to economic struggle. She said the prime agenda of her party was to uplift the Dalit, downtrodden and economically weaker sections among the upper castes. She claimed that her party had never been hostile towards the upper castes and it was the false propaganda of the Congress and BJP.

Addressing a party rally at the Parade Ground here today, Mayawati even disowned the slogan, “Tilak tarazu aur talwar...”, claiming this had been deliberately associated with it by Manuwadi” forces.

Reading from a written text, Mayawati spoke for 45 minutes. She maintained that the BSP had emerged as the voice of the exploited, be they from the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes or economically weaker sections among the upper castes. She alleged the successive regimes at the centre and various states across the country, which either belonged to the Congress or the BJP or their allies, had never given a thought to the welfare of the neglected sections.

She alleged that this was because of the “punjiwadis” (the capitalists), who used to dictate and determine the policies of these governments. She said since her government had come to power with the support of the masses and not the capitalists, she was formulating policies that aimed at the welfare and uplift of the neglected classes among society.

Earlier, party general secretary S.C. Mishra set the tone for the rally listing many welfare schemes that the Mayawati government aimed for the welfare of the upper castes. Quoting from his own example he asked, “had Mayawati or the BSP been hostile towards the upper castes as is being alleged, would she appoint me, a Brahmin as the party general secretary, send me to the Rajya Sabha and make me the leader of the party in the Upper House?”

There was a lot more Brahminical symbolism at display at the rally. It started with the blowing of conchs (shankhs) by saffron-clad Brahmins, with huge tilaks on their foreheads. The rally concluded with the recitation of Vedic mantras by Brahmins who appealed to the people that the BSP was the best party that could watch their interests.

Jammu, November 18
It was lavish display of luxury which only power can afford.Regardless of what Uttar Pradesh CM Mayawati may claim and reiterate about the uplift of down- trodden and weaker sections among the upper castes, her fascination for luxury cars, which only wealth can bring, seems to be unparalleled. Six Toyota Prado VX cars were driven all the way from Uttar Pradesh for a journey of 6 km to carry Mayawati from airport to the hotel and the venue of the party rally at Parade Ground here today. The super luxury cars had been specially driven all the way from Lucknow as "Behnaji likes to travel in Prado cars only". The luxury is extended to her entire personal security staff and officials who accompany her wherever she goes.

The cars costing Rs 40 lakh each were parked right next to the stage where Mayawati addressed the rally. One of the six drivers told The Tribune these had been driven to Jammu for Mayawti's tour. When pointed out that she had flown in a special plane, the driver remarked, Behanji had a preference for Prado cars only.