Calling Union Government’s Food Security Bill a poll gimmick, party president Mayawati said that if the BSP comes to power post-lok Sabha elections, economically backwards among upper castes will be given reservation.
“The freebies do not help society. What helps people is economic independence which the BSP promises to give if it comes to power at the Centre. Our party believes in the welfare of sarv samaj and therefore will ensure reservation for upper caste poor, Muslims and backwards,” Mayawati said while addressing a Brahmin Samaj Bhaichara Mahasammelan held at the Rama Bai Grounds here on Sunday.
It was a clear show of strength where the BSP tried to send message across to its detractors about possible alignment between Dalits and Brahmins. In 2007, she swept UP Assembly polls riding on this social alignment but when Brahmins parted ways in 2012 her party lost. With an eye on lok Sabha elections this mahasammelan was an attempt to revive Dalit-Brahmin truck.
In her almost an hour long speech she dwelt on the benefits of sarv samaj and how her Government had worked painstakingly to promote upper caste and Muslims. “I am in favour of reservation for Muslims and upper caste poor. I request upper caste to support the BSP in the next general election so that BSP could become a political force post elections,” she said as workers shouted Behanji tum sangharsh karo hum tumhare saath hain.
The blowing of conch shells enthused Mayawati who stopped for a few minutes allowing workers to raise pro- Brahmin slogans. “Do not get swayed by Opposition canard. In last Assembly elections you were misled by Opposition lies and we failed to perform as per our expectations. Those forces are out again. Beware of them,” she said reminding upper caste that they did not vote for the BSP in 2012 UP polls.
Hitting out at the UP Government she said that development work has come to a naught. The mafia are calling the shots while ruling leaders are giving political protection to these goons. Charging the Samajwadi Party Government for implicating senior BSP leaders in corruption charges, Mayawati said: “As present Government has nothing to do it is acting against political rivals.”