US cables: Maya a 8216;first-rate egomaniac8217;

UP CM runs the state 'like fiefdom' and acts on 'her whims and insecurities',the cables said.

While the US Embassy looked at Uttar Pradesh as the most crucial Indian state politically,it was sharply critical of Chief Minister Mayawati. In cables released by WikiLeaks,Mayawati is variously described as a first rate egomaniac who runs the state like a fiefdom,and acts on her eccentricities,whims and insecurities.

Making a mention of Mayawatis lavish celebrations on January 15,her birthday,a cable dated January 16,2009,talks of it being her favorite party of the year when the sycophantic fealty of BSP party members reaches its apex. It mentions the December 2008 murder of a district engineer by allegedly a BSP legislator during a collection shakedown forcing the BSP leader to tone down her celebration.

Another cable,dated October 23,2008,says poloff political officers travelled in three cities of UP to gauge the political state of play. It found,Mayawati is obsessed with becoming Prime Minister and the BSP will spend huge sums in next years national polls.

With all signs pointing to another coalition government in Delhi,Mayawati could be a powerbroker and perhaps even a king or queen maker.

Under the heading Eccentric Paranoia the cable says,Mayawatis full majority victory in May 2007 UP state Assembly elections left her beholden to no one and has allowed her to act on her eccentricities,whims and insecurities. When she needed new sandals,her private jet flew empty to Mumbai to retrieve her preferred brand.

It further mentions Mayawatis vice-like grip on all levers of power. All decisions must run through Mayawati or her very small coterie of advisors, says the cable. According to the cable,a poloff met a journalist in Lucknow who said a minister was forced to do sit-ups in front of her as penance for not first asking permission to call on UPs Governor.

A cable dated March 17,2009,before the Lok Sabha elections,says poloff noted Mayawati deeply wants to become prime minister and with thirty plus seats,she will be a player at the center. With fifty seats an outside possibility,the unpredictable chief minister could be a major player.

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A cable dated October 9,2007,is titled Mayawati has little to show for first 100 days and says she had not been able to tackle the problems of poverty,education,employment,and governance. Instead,she remains focused on undoing many of the decisions of her predecessor8230;

A free run

Mayawati is obsessed with becoming Prime Minister

When she needed new sandals,her private jet flew empty to Mumbai to retrieve her preferred brand

A journalist said a minister was forced to do sit-ups in front of her for not asking permission to call on Governor