Mayawati denies giving interview to a 'news agency'

Lucknow, June 8 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati today denied giving an interview to a news agency (not UNI), which had quoted her saying she aspired to be the country's Prime Minister.

Leading dailies published from the Uttar Pradesh capital today carried the interview, which was attributed to 'agencies.' In a statement issued here, the CM denied making such a statement and even giving the interview.

''I have never said I want to become the Prime Minister...people who know me and my political ideals understand that I can never indulge in such a cheap politics,'' she asserted.

The CM maintained that statements attributed to her in the alleged interview were not a reflection of her politics and her image.

She said while she had never stated that she wanted to be the PM, people of the 'sarva samaj' wanted to seat her at top positions of power.

While terming the news item as baseless, the BSP president requested the media not to publish news without authenticating it.

''In India media is considered the fourth estate, therefore, it is its responsibility to verify the facts before publishing a news item,'' she added.

Ms Mayawati also appealed to the media to maintain its dignity before coming out on anything, which pertained to political leaders or respected citizens.

''I request the media against publishing such news items. If such news is obtained through various sources, the information should be authenticated first,'' she added.

UNI