Congress-Mayawati war escalates, Section 144 in Lucknow

NEW DELHI: It's an all out war between Congress and Uttar Pradesh chief minister with Mayawati government imposing Section 144 in Lucknow on the eve of Congress protest rally over Dr Sachan's death.

This happened after Congress decided to go ahead with its 'Nyaya Yatra' despite not getting permission. The Congress stands firm says it will go ahead as planned with its 'Nyaya Yatra'. Meanwhile, a cornered Mayawati is expected to hold a high level meeting on Monday morning, Times Now reported

The political battle between Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati and Congress escalated on Sunday with authorities refusing permission to the opposition party to take out a march here on Tuesday against the alleged spurt in crimes in the state.

The district administration cited the possibility of breach of peace that could be caused by the planned "Nyaya" march for its decision.

District magistrate Anil Kumar Sagar said permission has been declined as police apprehended breach of peace and inconvenience to residents due to traffic disruptions. He said prohibitory orders under Section 144 IPC are already in force in the state capital.

The Congress slammed the decision saying it reflected the "fascist" style of functioning of the Mayawati government. "How can they deny permission for our democratic right to hold a peaceful march. It is ridiculous," UPCC chief Rita Bahuguana Joshi said.
Joshi said tonight the Congress has made a fresh application for permission for the march on the ground that the party's previous marches have been peaceful.

She said Congress workers will have a meeting at Bal Sangrahalaya maidan in Lucknow on Tuesday if the permission is denied again.

The administration's decision came against the backdrop of the mounting attack by the opposition parties on Mayawati over the recent rise in rape cases and the mysterious death of deputy CMO YS Sachan, a murder suspect, in Lucknow jail.

Mayawati said the opposition was attempting to destabilize her government by giving political colour to even the smallest of the matters.

Even some of the people in the media, with a casteist mentality, were publishing a distorted picture, she said addressing a rally in Mumbai suburb Goregaon. "But let me make it clear, that I am not going to get cowed down by such things," she added.