Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati finally joined the micro-blogging site Twitter, days before the Lok Sabha polls. ''This is to inform you that BSP national president, former UP Chief Minister and former MP Mayawati has for the first time decided to join Twitter for speedy interaction with media and masses, besides expressing her views on various issues of national and political importance through the site,'' a statement issued by the BSP on Wednesday said.
Mayawati's official Twitter handle is @SushriMayawati, which was actually created in October last year, but was put to use only this January.
Tweeting for the first time on January 22, Mayawati wrote: “Hello brothers and sisters. With due respect, let me introduce myself to the Twitter family. This is my opening and inauguration. @SushriMayawati is my official twitter handle for all my future interactions, comments and updates. With warm regards. Thank you."
However, the tweet went largely unnoticed for a long time until RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav welcomed her to the micro-blogging site on Tuesday.
Yadav wrote that he had requested the BSP chief to join Twitter during their meeting in Lucknow on January 13. "Finally glad to see you here. Happy that you acknowledged and respected my request of joining Twitter during our meeting in Lucknow on January 13. Warm Regards,'' Tejashwi tweeted.
Twitter verified the account within minutes of the BSP issuing the statement. Mayawati's handle has more than 6,000 followers till now and she follows only one person - Twitter Support.
Seven of the first 11 tweets were press releases from her party. "Connect me directly, get party views and updates. With regards," Mayawati tweeted on January 23.
Mayawati's Twitter handle's cover image is one of her posing with two books that she authored and also carries images of Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar, BSP founder Kanshiram and the electoral symbol of the BSP.