Mayawati promises to make UP 'Khushaal Pradesh'

Varanasi, Apr 27 (UNI) Responding to ruling Samajawadi Party's much hyped call of transforming Uttar Pradesh into 'Uttam Pradesh,' BSP president Mayawati today promised to make the state a 'Khushaal Pradesh' if elected to power.

''We do not believe in hollow words, but actions...our party is committed to making UP a Khushaal Pradesh where there is no space for crime, mafia and communalism, but development is going to be the prime driver,'' Ms Mayawati said addressing an election rally in Chandauli (Sadar) constituency.

''The Congress ruled the state for over 40 years, but did nothing for developing UP. The same attitude persisted in the regimes led by the SP and the BJP. Only BSP can bring back the state on the path of development,'' she added.

Accusing the Mulayam Singh government in UP of unleashing a reign of terror, where mafia and other criminals rule the roost, Ms Mayawati said all, including the educated sections of Mr Yadav's own caste, are fed up with the non-performing SP government.

Promising to put behind bars the SP chief and his party colleague Amar Singh for unbridled acts of corruption, Ms Mayawati said the two politicians were planning to flee to foreign countries to escape punitive action at the hands of a BSP government.

Ms Mayawati also assured the Muslims of safeguarding their interests if elected to power. ''I sacrificed my government three times because I refused to surrender to the BJP's designs of working against the minority,'' she claimed.

She also asked the party voters to be alert about attempts by opponents to arouse communal and caste biased setiments by distributing pamphlets and booklets in the name of the BSP against certain upper castes. ''An FIR has already been lodged on April 18 by the party in this connection and now you have to be alert to foil such evil designs,'' she pointed out.

UNI