Samajwadi Party working against Ram Manohar Lohia's principles: Mayawati

LUCKNOW: Charging the ruling Samajwadi Party government with working against the principles of socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia, BSP supremo Mayawati today said had Lohia been alive, he would have removed Mulayam Singh Yadav from the list of 'samajwadis' (socialists).

"While my birthday is being celebrated as Jan Kalyankari Diwas, during which the poor and needy are helped, Mulayam's birthday is being celebrated lavishly with public money, which is against Lohia's principles. Had Lohia been alive today, he would have removed Mulayam from the list of Samajwadis (socialists)," she said.

Alleging that UP government was not doing anything for the welfare of farmers in 50 drought-hit districts, but "spending lavishly" on Saifai Mahotsava, Mayawati said the acts of the present government were also against the common man.

"In the name of Lohia, SP was discriminating against Dalits and backward communities. We will give a befitting reply when time comes," she said.

Claiming the poor law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh under Samadjwadi Party government, Maywati said, "Common man is fed up with the SP government as mafia and goons are ruling the roost. Our party will provide good governance and people of the state are aware of it," she added.

BSP will expand its base ahead of 2017 UP Assembly polls to ensure the defeat of the ruling party.