Maya plays regional card for PM post

The BSP chief was addressing a rally in Teliyana area of Fatehpur.

Keeping up her attack on the Congress,Mayawati alleged the party had offered a bribe to BSP MP and its nominee for Fatehpur,Mahendra Kumar Nishad,to vote in favour of the UPA during the no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha July last.

The BSP chief said,“During the no-trust motion,Congress leaders had offered crores of rupees to Nishad to vote in favour of the UPA,but he refused.” Nishad has proved his loyalty and dedication towards the BSP over the years,she said,adding the “Congress can stoop to the lowest level to remain in power”.

In an apparent bid to woo the Lodhs,who form a sizeable vote bank in Fatehpur constituency,the BSP chief told the gathering she had chosen Ganga Charan Rajput,a Lodh,as her party’s candidate from Pilibhit. There are nearly 1.5 lakh Lodh voters in Fatehpur.

Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi,she said,“By eating or sleeping at a Dalit’s residence,Congress leaders are making futile efforts to win their confidence. During their five-year tenure at the Centre,Congress leaders have failed to do anything for the SCs/STs.”