BSP supremo Mayawati spared the Election Commission but targeted Congress as she began her party’s election campaign for the 2012 Assembly election on Wednesday with a resolve to return to power with a bigger majority this time. “Do not get swayed by the false promises of opposition parties, particularly the Congress. What these parties are promising now, the Bahujan Samaj Party government has already implemented.

Only the BSP can take care of your needs. Others will use you as a vote bank. We are your friend. Just have faith on us,” Mayawati said while addressing a responsive crowd that raised both hands in the air to express solidarity with the BSP national president. Mayawati mentioned the Election Commission at the fag end of her speech when she said there was anger against its decision to drape the statues of elephants and herself. “Use that anger in election to ensure victory of the BSP,” she said and the crowd responded with a loud “Mayawati zindabad”.

The Government Inter College Ground was chock-a-block with people. Every inch of the space was occupied by enthusiastic people. There were men, women and youth. Some of them came on their own while others were ferried to the rally ground by the party candidates. But one thing that was missing in the crowd was the Brahmin faces, who had last time supported the BSP whole heartedly and formed the fulcrum of Dalit-Brahmin combine. Prem Baba, a sadhu with a long flowing beard sporting a long vermilion tikka on his forehead, admitted
that Brahmins had given this rally a miss.

“Probably Brahmins did not get their share and that’s why they are not here. All the castes are fighting with each other. And look at political parties, they just berate each other,” he said philosophically.

He was not off the mark as Mayawati did exactly the same in her almost hour-long speech. She criticised the Congress for not giving Uttar Pradesh a special package of Rs 80,000 crore or for withdrawing the Central assistance to the state. She blamed Congress for price rise and said poverty alleviation programmes of the United Progressive Alliance government had failed to reach the targeted people.

“After the Congress failed in its policies, it adopted the Britishers’ policy of divide and rule. Therefore, the Congress suggested sub-quota within quota for Dalits, backwards and Muslims. This is a ploy to weaken the unity of these castes so that they get fragmented and weak enough to be used for political gains,” she said. Mayawati also had a dig at Rahul Gandhi for promising to change the face of Uttar Pradesh in five years.

“His is the party that ruled the state for 40 years. At that time it did nothing, forcing youth to migrate to other cities to eke out their living and be called beggars by its leaders,” Mayawati said, and added, “Okay. The BSP is ready to  give five years to Congress if it promises to bring the black money stashed in foreign banks back to India and use half of it for development of Uttar Pradesh. Will Congress do this? No, because a good chunk of money of their senior leaders is in
foreign banks and they do not want it to be brought back to India,” she said.

Mayawati also criticised the UPA government for misusing the CBI as a political tool in the NRHM scam with an eye on UP elections. “It is indeed a big mystery why the CBI has intensified its probe in the NRHM case all of a sudden while going slow in the 2G spectrum and CWG (Commonwealth Games) scams. There are clear indications that this premier investigating agency is working under the directions
of political leaders,” she said.

Clarifying her party’s stand, Mayawati said when she learnt about the scam she forced two of her ministers to resign and ordered CBI and CAG probes despite knowing very well that these agencies could give an adverse report against her government. “And this is exactly what happened,” she added.

Buoyed at the responsive crowd, Mayawati showcased her party’s achievements. She talked about the improvement in law and order and also in the power scenario. She also elaborated on the government schemes that benefitted the ‘sarv samaj’. “Have faith on us. Vote for BSP. Remember, if Samajwadi Party returns to power it would unleash goondas on you and bring anarchy,” she said in a parting statement.

As soon as Mayawati left, the venue was drowned by BSP poll song—”Haathi ko jitana re bhaiya…” and the women broke into an impromptu jig, sending a signal to the opposition that they were ready for the second ‘coronation’ of Mayawati. Will their dream come true? This will only be known on March 6, the day the Assembly electionresults will be declared.