BSP president Mayawati on Sunday accused the Narendra Modi Government of “doing drama” over the Army’s surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), saying such attacks have been carried out across the line of Control (loC) in the past as well. She said Modi’s visit to lucknow to attend Dussehra celebrations is “politically motivated” and the event should have been toned down taking into account the loss suffered by the families of soldiers killed in the deadly Uri terror attack.
The massive rally in lucknow on the 10th death anniversary of party patriarch Kanshi Ram, however, turned tragic as two women were killed and at least 12 people injured in a stampede triggered by rumours of a live power line having snapped.
“A few people coming down the stairs at one of the two gates lost balance and fell on each other. Shanti Devi (68) of Bijnore and another unidentified woman were killed in the incident due to suffocation,” police said.
Mayawati also attacked UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s Government for failure in fulfilling it promises. She also took a dig at them for the failure of law and order situation in UP, and said she is confident of forming the next Government in the State with an ‘absolute majority’.
The BSP chief said the BJP might be forced to bring in film actors to attract crowds in future. Crowds alone do not translate into votes, she added. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit lucknow and attend Dussehra festivities at the historic Aishbagh Ramlila grounds on October 11.
Apprehensive of possible efforts to “cash in” on cross-border terrorism in the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Punjab, Mayawati said hysteria of war between India and Pakistan may be churned up to “divert attention from failures” of the central government.
On the Army’s surgical strikes across the line of Control (loC), she said that it was the right move, but one that came too late. “There is a feeling among people that this could have been delayed for taking political and electoral mileage.” Had the military action been carried out after the Pathankot attack in January, lives of 19 soldiers in Uri might have been saved, she said.
lashing out at the Prime Minister for “failing” to fulfil promises made during the lok Sabha polls, Mayawati said that all sections of society were today feeling “cheated”. The BSP chief also alleged that central agencies like CBI are being “misused” by the ruling party of the day to “harass” political adversaries, as was done with her during the previous Congress Government.