BSP changed slogans, not ideology: Sushma Swaraj

Varanasi, Apr 27 (UNI) Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj today said ''Mayawati-led BSP has merely changed its slogans and its anti-upper caste ideology still remains unchanged from within.

''BSP ne sirf office ke bahar ki nameplate badli hai, uske andar ki vikritiya aaj bhi kayam hain'' (BSP has changed the name plate outside its office, but anti-upper caste ideological deformities still flourish inside the same office,'' Ms Swaraj said while addressing an election meeting on Diesel Locomotive Workshop (DLW) campus here this evening.

On one hand the party is wooing the upper-caste voters, especially Brahmins by rewriting its slogans, but the chief of the same party Ms Mayawati does not forget to open all her public meetings by addressing the upper caste with 'manuwadi' (those with feudal mindset), Ms Swaraj maintained.

''This in itself makes it clear that BSP has only changed its face, but the heart still remains against the upper caste.'' Appealing the electorate to vote for Kalyan Singh-led BJP in the state for ushering stability and development, Ms Swaraj said a state which was once known as the foundry of prime ministers has today become the killing ground of innocents especially after the Nithari killings, which has rendered an indelible blot on UP.

''UP gave as many as eight visionary and PM's to the country, but the same state is now known for fake correction of answer sheets in government schools and colleges,'' she added.

The former Delhi chief minister also made light of recent statements by young Congress MP Rahul Gandhi saying ''the young man who publicises the achievements of his family instead of the party will soon get a reality check when the electorate teaches the grand old party a lesson just like it did in 1977 and off late in Punjab and Uttarakhand assembly polls.'' UNI