Threats bounce off, Maya gives it to BJP

Reacting to Katiyar’s statement on July 9 that the BJP might reconsider staying in the BSP-BJP coalition arrangement, she bluntly stated: ‘‘If the BJP feels it is time to go for a re-consideration on the coalition issue, they are free to do so. Katiyar has to say something to keep the morale of his desperate party workers high. I am positive his statement is part of that plan.’’

But the brunt of Mayawati’s attack was reserved for former BJP chief minister Rajnath Singh who has been lately critical of her government’s policy of distributing free books to only Dalit children at the primary level, claiming it is ‘‘against the norms set by the Central government.’’ Singh had begun the populist policy in the state.

He considers the restriction of such a policy to only Dalit children ‘‘as an exercise to create a wedge along caste lines in the society.’’ Mayawati disagrees. ‘‘My decision to ensure free distribution of text books to Dalit students including girls, regardless of their jatis, is based entirely on the Centre’s directives. I have sent a letter to the Centre on July 9 asking for funds to ensure that free text books can be distributed to all students up to the primary level. I will not take any decision that will put the Centre into trouble,’’ rebutted Mayawati.

Mayawati explained she had taken a special care this time that the SC/ST Act should not be misused. ‘‘I have asked the Chief Secretary to issue directives to all districts that no case under the Act should be registered without proper verification.’’

However, the BJP state unit has also raised strong objections to the Mayawati government’s decision to distribute free textbooks to SC/ST kids by stating that it would send a wrong message in the society.

Mayawati, who is also hounding former ministers facing charges of financial bungling, said: ‘‘I am no mood to spare anyone on the issue.’’ Yet, she maintained she was ‘‘not taking these decision as part of a political vendetta’’.

Raja Gajnafar Ali, a former minister, has been jailed (at present, he is out on bail) on graft charges while another former minister, Ram Asrey Kushwaha, is likely to go to prison since an FIR on charges of financial bungling has been lodged against him in Bahraich.

Both these former ministers were among the group of then BSP legislators which propped up the Kalyan Singh government after Mayawati withdrew support in 1997.

Many more former ministers against whom similar charges have been levelled are fearful of police action against them for what they consider as ‘‘personal scores’’.

Mayawati claimed: ‘‘Such investigation reports were completed during the previous regime. How can I be blamed for settling personal scores?’’