Maya in Aligarh to fight rumours

With the third phase of polls round the corner, the scurry for Muslim votes is hotting up. First, there was Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in I...

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With the third phase of polls round the corner, the scurry for Muslim votes is hotting up. First, there was Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in Iglas, then PM A.B. Vajpayee in Aligarh for a rally and today, BSP chief Mayawati.

She had her task cut out — she had to tell voters to ignore rumours of a BJP-BSP tie-up after polls besides warning Muslim voters not to get ‘‘distracted’’ by the BJP.

From Gujarat riots to reservation for Muslims and assurances of riot-free rule, Mayawati said Muslims should beware of rumours circulated by the Opposition. Jealous rivals are spreading rumours that the BSP will join hands with the BJP after the polls but she swore she would have nothing to do with the party ‘‘any more’’. ‘‘Rather, I would settle old scores with them (the BJP) over the Taj corridor and even extract dues with interest,’’ she said. ‘‘They may be trying to take political advantage by using it to pressurise me but I am not a coward. I am a brave Dalit ki beti,’’ Mayawati said.

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Instead, it is the Samajwadi Party which will join hands with the NDA after the polls, she said, notwithstanding Mulayam Singh Yadav’s protestations. ‘‘This is already proved by the statements of the PM and and his colleague George Fernandes. Why else would Mulayam retain BJP leader Kesari Nath Tripathi as the House Speaker till now?’’

Slamming the BJP for failing to ensure justice for the Gujarat riot victims, she said the BSP was the only true supporter of the minority community. During her tenure, not a single mosque was destroyed, she said.