After poll drubbing, Mayawati sets sights on Delhi

LUCKNOW: BSP chief Mayawati has decided to continue with her 'sarvjan' policy (social engineering) despite drubbing in the recent elections. She also seems to have decided to move to national politics, at least till next Lok Sabha elections. This came to the fore on Wednesday at a meeting of party leaders in which Mayawati distributed responsibilities of leading the party in the state among Muslim, brahman, dalit and backward class leaders. After defeat in polls, many described that her social engineering had failed.

BSP state president Swami Prasad Maurya was elected leader of the party's legislature group. Maurya has won the assembly seat from Padrauna in Kushinagar district. He will also be the leader of the opposition in the state assembly as BSP has emerged as the second largest party. Naseemuddin Siddiqui was made leader of the party in the legislative council. Though it was clear that Swami would be made the leader of BSP in the assembly, there were doubts that Naseemuddin Siddiqui would be given the responsibility in after being indicted by the Lokayukt for corruption. But his selection shows that he still enjoys Mayawati's trust.

Gurucharan Dinkar, who won from Naraeni seat of Banda, has been made deputy leader of BSP legislature group. Former energy minister in Mayawati government Ramveer Upadhaya will be party's chief whip in the assembly, while another former minister Vedram Bhati will shoulder the responsibility of the whip. No leader close to SC Mishra, BSP's Brahmin face, has got any position in state legislature party. Sources said that very few MLAs of his group have won elections this time. In 2007, when Mishra had successfully brought brahmans close to BSP leading to victory in the elections, all leaders close to him got good positions in the government.

However, this time Mishra's close aide, lawyer Gopal Narayan Mishra, has been made deputy leader in the legislative council. Sunil Kumar Chittod has been made chief whip and Vinay Shakya will be the whip. Former minister Indrajeet Saroj, who won from Manjhanpur constituency of Kaushambi, has been treasurer of the state legislative party. Mayawati told party leaders not to be disappointed by assembly elections results and continue to work for the BSP's cause. She exhorted MLAs to boldly face 'SP government's politics of vendetta' and raise their voices at proper fora but under no circumstances take law in his/her hand.

Mayawati is at present member of the state legislative council. But Behenji has not taken the responsibility of heading the legislative council group of the party, indicating that she would go to the Rajya Sabha, elections for which will be held later this month. The BSP has won only 80 seats in the assembly elections, hence it can elect only two members for the Rajya Sabha. The name of Mayawati's close aide and cabinet secretary in her government is also being taken for the Rajya Sabha nomination. Earlier, in 2004, Mayawati after losing power to SP in the state had moved to the national politics by getting herself nominated for the Rajya Sabha.

Mayawati has called a meeting of party coordinators on Sunday in which she is expected to discuss the reasons of BSP's poll debacle and to draw further strategy, particularly for the Lok Sabha elections scheduled in 2014.