Opponents funding smaller parties to damage BSP: Mayawati

Varanasi, Apr 28 (UNI) BSP president Mayawati today alleged caste based smaller parties were being funded by major political parties to dent the fortunes of her outfit in Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing an election rally in Varanasi (North) assembly constituency, Ms Mayawati claimed worried over the fast paced BSP juggernaut, major political parties in UP had funded the creation of smaller caste-based parties to eat into her party's growing voter base.

The former UP chief minister further appealed her voters not to be moved by caste considerations to vote for the smaller parties.

''Please do not waste your franchise by voting for the small parties created by opponents of dalits,'' she noted.

''BJP and Congress are playing politics in UP only to balance their equations for boosting their prospects at the centre, so voting for them in assembly poll is meaningless,'' she explained.

She asked UP CM Mulayam Singh Yadav and former prime minister V P Singh to review their past before misleading the minority to portray her image as anti-Muslim politician due to formation of government with BJP's support in the state during the past.

''These two politicians (V P Singh and Mulayam) were responsible for the growth of BJP in 1989, when they formed National Front government with its help,'' she stated.

''Only a vote for BSP will oust the Samajawadi Party government from UP.'' ''Apani sher bahenji ki tarah chadho Samajwadi Party ke goondo ki chaati par aur vote maro hathi par'' (Climb up the chests of the goons of SP like your lioness leader and vote for the elephant symbol).

She reiterated that on coming to power her government will launch a drive to put behind bars all goons and mafia, and added that even Mr Yadav and his lieutenant Amar Singh will not be spared.

Targeting Mr Singh, Ms Mayawati added ''it is Mr Singh, who has rekindled the dream of forming a third front in the SP chief. By bringing Mr Yadav alongside TDP chief N Chandra Babu Naidu, AIADMK chief J Jayalalitha and INLD president Om Prakash Chautala, Mr Singh has ensured the SP ends becoming part of the losers club.'' UNI