BSP blows conch, chants shlokas to woo Brahmins

Varanasi, Sep 9 (UNI) In its continued efforts to build a Brahmin-Dalit winning combine for the 2007 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, opposition BSP organised a 'Brahmin Bhaichara Banao Sammelan' here today.

It was not the erstwhile BSP slogan 'Tilak Taraju Aur Talwar Inko Maro Joote Char', but instead the blowing of conch shell and vedic shlokas that welcomed Satish Chandra Mishra, BSP national general secretary, also considered its 'brahmin mascot' at the Cutting Memorial Inter College ground.

The senior advocate and Brahmin leader was also presented with the traditional turban, a silver sword and axe to symbolise growing proximity of the politically crucial upper caste with the party, once their bete noire.

''If Brahmin and Dalits forming 40 per cent of the total electorate unite under the BSP banner, the party will not only win elections in UP, but also clinch 80 per cent seats across the country,'' Mr Mishra said, claiming, the potent political combination will make Mayawati-led BSP rule UP not for the next five yrs, but for the next 2O-30 yrs.

''Only the thoughts of BSP coming to power are giving sleepless nights to the tainted bureaucracy in the state,'' Mr Mishra added.

Taking a dig at political opponents for tarnishing BSP's image by adding false slogans to its name, the Rajya Sabha MP claimed the party of Kanshi Ram and Mayawati never gave the call 'Tilak Taraju Aur Talwar', but instead believed in 'Hathi Nahi Ganesh Hai, Bramha, Vishnu, Mahesh Hai'.

''BSP believes in establishment of egalitarian society and not a caste-based social structure,'' Mr Mishra asserted.

Further, Mr Mishra alleged the Brahmin community which was transformed from ''Rank to Raja'' (commoners to rulers) by Chanakya, was now afflicted with abject poverty only owing to the false promises made by Congress, BJP and the ruling SP.

''Ninety per cent of Brahmins are living below poverty line only due to false promises made by Congress, BJP and SP. The BSP will work for all sections of the society, when voted to power in UP by the crucial Brahmin-Dalit combine.'' UNI ARS VS VD MSJ BST1855