Cong-SP using CBI to target me: Maya

“The fresh affidavit filed by the CBI has come in the backdrop of our withdrawal of support to the Government and just ahead of the Congress-led coalition facing a trust vote in the Parliament. This step puts a question mark on the motives. This is part of a behind-the- scene political conspiracy against me when the Samajwadi party has closed ranks with the Congress,” Mayawati told a press conference in the capital.

Mayawati said while the Congress was conspiring against her the Government had not taken any action against SP chief Mulayam Singh who was facing similar charges.

“It smacks of a conspiracy. What is the political pressure behind this?” asked Mayawati expressing her resentment at the media reports on the CBI affidavit.

Mayawati alleged that the Centre was pro-active in her case after the SP joined hands with the Congress. She also alleged that senior Government officials — including the CBI director, who she alleged is looking for a post-retirement assignment from the Government — visited a senior SP leader’s residence every day while the party was in the process of extending its support to save the Government.

“Those in power at the Centre have the habit of misusing the CBI for their political gains. In fact, those in power use the carrot of post retirement assignments to misuse the CBI. In fact, media reports suggest that the SP has cut a deal with the Centre to appoint the new CBI director with their concurrence in lieu of their support to the Central Government,” alleged Mayawati.

Mayawati, however, said she was not going to buckle under these “nefarious political conspiracies against the BSP movement” that cropped up every time elections drew closer.

“The Congress-led UPA should not be under any illusion that we would be intimidated. Every time the elections are round the corner, the CBI has been misused to harm the BSP and me,” said Mayawati.

She also claimed that she was victimised by both the BJP and the Congress whenever they were in power at the Centre and alleged that all parties ganged up against the BSP and its movement.

“It is amazing that despite being political opponents, both the Congress and the BJP gang up against me whenever they are in power at the Centre. However, I have full faith in the Supreme Court and I hope to get justice,” she said pointing out how the BJP had framed her in 2003 and how the Congress was conspiring against her.

“We will take all legal recourse in this case. The case will not stand even for a day in the court,” asserted Mayawati’s trusted political aide and lawyer Satish Mishra.