• Why did Mayawati resign from the UP Assembly after quitting as CM? Wasn’t it her moral duty to stay in the House and democratically oppose her political rivals?— Aditya Saigaonkar As you know, the assembly elections of four states are going to be held very soon, the result of these elections may change the entire scenario in the country. She (Mayawati) will be very busy in these elections. It was not possible for her to to do justice as an MLA in UP. That’s why she chose to resign. FIRING LINE: NEXT WEEK Rajiv Prathap Rudy, Minister for Civil Aviation With the Government okaying the proposal to privatise Delhi and Mumbai airports while retaining control over the air traffic control (ATC) and the security apparatus, airport management is all set to change. Given the existing conditions, many feel this move can only help and should be replicated at other major airports. So who best to ask other than the Civil Aviation Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy. If you have a poser for him, route it via firingline@expressindia.com Now she will not only oppose her political rivals but will also teach them a lesson in the elections. • Although Muslims in UP do vote for BSP inspite of the party sharing power with the BJP, why is it so that no prominent Muslim leader has stayed with the party for long? Are you also going to follow the likes of Akbar Ahmed Dumpy and Arif Mohammed Khan?— Kalpana S More than 25 per cent of Muslims voted for BSP in the last assembly elections. I do not know why they have left the BSP. I have been fighting for the cause of the discriminated segments of the society. We can keep our country strong and united only if we remove casteism and communalism. • BSP, in the last elections, tried to shed off its Dalit party image by giving tickets to Brahmins and Thakurs and a lot of them won. But how will the recent split engineered by these upper caste MLA’s be taken by the high command?— Ravikiran Shinde Unfortunately, politics in our country has come down to a level where self-interest has become the first priority of politicians. It is not the question of upper and lower castes. I do not have words to express when I hear a statement on TV by MLAs ‘‘we have complete confidence in the leadership of great Mulayamji’’. They are the same who used to speak the same language for Mayawatiji. • You, with your refined manners, stand in stark contrast to the aggressive behaviour of your leader Mayawati. Do you think she, with her eccentric ways and overreaching personal ambitions, can claim the legacy of Dalit leaders like Ambedkar, Jagjivan Ram and others? — Ashok Kumar Tongaria The ideology of Ambedkar was brought into practice by Mayawati. Apart from everything, she created self-respect among Dalits. This credit goes to her and history will remember it. • BSP MPs, under your leadership, brought Parliament to a standstill by demanding the ouster of Union Minister Jagmohan, which the entire nation watched on TV. But when Mayawati sensed trouble, she saved her skin putting the blame on you saying Rashid Alvi and others over-reacted in Parliament.— Subhash Chandra Agrawal In every political party, Members of Parliament act according to the decision taken by their party. We also represent our party in Parliament in the same manner. • Does the recent decisions of Mayawati cast doubts on her political acumen as most of her calculations in the last few weeks have gone woefully wrong?— A K Narendranath Political calculations are made by those who have been indulging in politics for their own interest. If you are fighting for a cause, loss or profit cannot be taken into account before making a political step. Mayawatiji is bold and will face any situation and her votebank is absolutely intact. • For the first time when you fought BJP, your outfit described it as a party of communal forces, baniyas, brahmins and anti-dalits. Now, once again, after the latest round of estrangement, you accuse BJP of pushing your communal agenda. Now, could you tell me why why your so-called ‘‘secular’’,‘‘pro dalit’’ MLAs joined SP? — Balram Bhadu Of course, BJP is a communal organisation. They supported us to rule. We never supported them to rule over the state. As far as the split in the BSP is concerned, money, ministerial berths and pressures of many kinds were shamelessly used to split the party. It is therefore unconstitutional and against the interest of the country.
