Maya gets no b’day break from Katiyar

Katiyar also hinted that he was all set to expand his repertoire of ‘‘quotes of Ambedkar and Sardar Patel on Muslims’’ to include thoughts of other leaders whose views on the issue were ‘‘similarly not much known’’. The first phase of his yatra had begun on December 29 and ended on January 12.

‘‘Babar and Mehmood Ghazni had invaded the cultural boundaries of our country, which needs to be undone. I am focusing on cultural nationalism in the yatras to ensure that the effect of Ghaznis and Babars can be negated,’’ he said.

Reminded of Chief Minister Mayawati’s objections to his observations on Ambedkar, Katiyar reacted angrily: ‘‘I don’t need a certificate from anyone for the job I am undertaking.’’

Incidentally, during her birthday bash yesterday, Mayawati had given ample indication that she was not willing to compromise on any issue related to Dalits or Muslims. Thousands of booklets projecting her as a messiah of Dalits and Muslims by showcasing the schemes initiated by her were distributed by the Information Department to her supporters.

Apart from Katiyar’s yatra, the state BJP is also brushing up the state machinery to prepare itself for any eventuality like early polls. Senior party leaders Pyarelal Khandelwal and Mange Ram will be visiting different districts of the state next week to check on the membership drive.

The party is also holding training camps at the divisional level for its workers and after that an exercise is planned to recruit active members. ‘‘The culmination will be with the organisational polls, which will be held after these exercises are over,’’ Katiyar said.