Maya OK with FDI,with riders

However,she added that her party would only support FDI after evaluating its effect. Opposing the diesel price hike and the cap on subsidised LPG cylinders,Mayawati said the decisions have hit the poor and middle class. “The government should also put some burden on capitalists for improving the economy,not just on the poor and middle class,” she said,adding that the Centre should increase the prices of luxury goods.

Stating that the Lok Sabha elections could be held “before time”,Mayawati told her party workers that today’s rally marked the start of the BSP’s election campaign,and they should work on a war footing to strengthen the organisation.

Warning the people not to fall in the UPA’s trap of poll promises,she said: “If the UPA government once again comes to power,I can clearly see your condition deteriorating.” She also criticised the Centre for “sitting on the Lokpal Bill,food security Bill and new land acquisition policy.”

In her hour-long speech,Mayawati spent much time criticising the SP government in the state. She criticised the state government for cancelling the holiday on the death anniversary of BSP founder Kanshiram,and changing the names of districts,parks and universities which were named after Dalit icons by her government.

She said Uttar Pradesh had become a “crime pradesh” under SP rule,as several goons were now out of jail. The women in the state now do not feel safe to venture out of their homes after evening,she alleged.

The former chief minister further alleged that the welfare schemes of the Akhilesh government were benefiting only SP workers. “A large amount of money is being wasted on the publicity of these schemes,” she said,adding that the current CM had proved to be “a greater announcement-CM than his father’’.

Criticising the SP for opposing SC/ ST quota in promotions,Mayawati said it was because of B R Ambedkar,and not Ram Manohar Lohia,that the OBCs got reservation. “Ambedkar made the provision of Article 340 in the Constitution,and had he not done this,Mulayam Singh may have been seen grazing cattle in the fields of some feudal overlord,” she said.

She accused the SP government of working for the benefit of only Yadavs among the OBCs,and said her government had taken care of poor in the upper castes and all backwards,and even written letters to the Centre seeking reservation for them.

Mayawati said that the SP government,despite having promised 18 per cent reservation for backward Muslims in its election manifesto,had not done anything on that front.