UP Assembly elections: Satirical play on Mayawati denied permission

LUCKNOW: A play perceived as a satire on Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati's life has been denied permission for staging by the administration here. "The play has been denied permission for staging as it violates model code of conduct in the state and its script is against a political leader," district magistrate Anil Kumar Sagar told PTI. 'My sandal' was scheduled to be staged on January 28 at Rai Umanath Bali auditorium.

"The staging of the play has been denied permission by the district administration verbally," its director Mukesh Verma of Satyapath Rangmandal theatre group said. The play dates back to 500 years and is about a princess Maya who rules over Mayagarh and feeds her pet elephant on gold and silver. The princess's sandals, imported from an Arab country, are eaten by her pet that falls sick soon after. In the process of nursing the elephant back to health, its excreta exposes secrets of the kingdom resulting in a revolt.