Ahead of rally,BSP workers get a bus tour of memorials

“Mayawatiji is increasing the popularity of Dalit icons like Bhimrao Ambekdar,Kanshiram ,Periyar,Jyotiba Phule and Narain Guru by constructing memorials and statues in UP. After going back,we will popularise her contributions,” said B C Rajesh,the party in-charge of Hassan district in Karnataka who is in Lucknow with a band of 500 party workers from his state.

Another state which is expected to send a large number of party workers for the rally is Maharashtra,for which four large tents have been erected.

“Media reports have created a negative image of Mayawati and the memorials in Maharashtra. We have seen here that memorials have made Lucknow a tourist attraction. The BSP has given respect to the Dalit icons by building their statues and the Congress has done the same for its leaders,” said Ashok Gaikwad,president of the BSP unit in Dehu Road Assembly constituency in Pune,adding Kanshiram worked there for a long time.

Ramabai Meshram from Chandrapur in Maharashtra,who claimed to have been with the BSP for 20 years,said the party has put Lucknow on the global map by constructing beautiful memorials. She was seen asking local BSP workers about the Noida memorials.

D R Amb,president of the BSP’s Bhopal unit,was all praise for Mayawati’s welfare schemes. “BSP’s UP office sends us booklets of various welfare schemes such as housing and pensions for poor. We try to spread the word among our people,” said Amb,who retired from BHEL last year. “Mayawati has showed respect for icons like Bhimrao Ambedkar and Kanshiram by building memorials. We are here to take motivation from Mayawati,” said Lakhmuram Tandon,in-charge of BSP in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar.

Party workers arriving from other states claimed they have bought their own train tickets to come to Lucknow,as instructed by “Behenji”. The Lucknow administration has made arrangements for stay of 30,000 party workers at Smriti Upvan,where a 30-bed temporary hospital,six dining halls and separate control rooms have been set up. Police and fire brigade have been also deployed.