The BJP’s loss is the Congress’ gain. As Mayawati called Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee and the BJP names and vowed ‘‘revenge,’’ the Congress promptly warmed to her.Seeking to rationalise the Congress game, party spokesman Jaipal Reddy said: ‘‘In view of the CBI’s track record, Mayawati’s allegations cannot be treated lightly and must be examined.’’ Reddy seemed to echo Mayawati’s logic when he argued: ‘‘The CBI has been attracting grave charges of being reduced to the status of a political tool of the Centre.’’Lest he should appear focused on polls while commenting on Mayawati, Reddy said his party is looking forward to ‘‘help from all secular parties’’ to defeat the BJP in elections ‘‘whether for the Assemblies or at the Centre. But in the case of the four state elections coming up, the Congress is the only major secular party and is likely to go to polls on its own steam.’’The BJP, which had so far avoided any personal criticism of Mayawati even after the UP break-up, is visibly angered by her attack on Vajpayee. ‘‘It (her demand for an inquiry into the assets of Prime Minister’s foster daughter and son-in-law) is irresponsible and motivated,’’ party general secretary Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said. ‘‘It shows her present state of mind,’’ he added.He termed her statements condemnable and said these would ‘‘only tarnish her image.’’ Regarding Kanshi Ram, he said: ‘‘We wish him a speedy recovery but Mayawati should not use his illness as a political weapon.’’ Party chief M. Venkaiah Naidu’s response was restrained. He said at Jaipur: ‘‘The Government or the PM has no role in it. She is dragging the PM’s name into it out of frustration. Till yesterday, she was comfortable in the company of the BJP and the PM.’’LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan declined to comment on the raids while he supported Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi in his hour of distress. He said each case faced by political leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and RJD leader Laloo Prasad Yadav, is ‘‘totally different’’ and is not comparable to one another.
