Arrest us: Mulayam challenges Mayawati

Lucknow, Apr 9 (UNI) Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav today dared Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati to arrest him, if she had guts.

During an election compaign for Bilgram Lok Sabha constituency, former UP Chief Minister Mr Yadav said ''Mayawati should stop issuing threats against me and my party leaders and if she has guts come and arrest us.'' Declaring the SP as the only well wisher of dalits, Mr Yadav said his government was the first one to start schemes in the name of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar. He further criticised Mayawati for issuing statements against Rahul Gandhi.

Charging the BSP government for the dismal condition of farmers and poors, the SP supremo said ''farmers and dalit are the biggest sufferers in the BSP regime.'' While addressing election campaign in Mehdaval area for Khalilabad Lok Sabha seat, Union Minister of state for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said ''Mayawati's objectionable statement against Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi is baseless and holds no ground.'' He further said Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Ambedkar and Jawahar Lal Nehru were the only legends, who had soft corner for dalits and worked for them without any self interest.

Meanwhile, Congress secreatary Digvijay Singh, who was in Dasiya area of Basti district regarding byelection campaign said ''Uttar Pradesh is presently under 'political crises' as the present BSP regime and last SP regime lacked policy and good leaders.'' He also unleashed vitriol on the turncoats and said ''such leaders can do no good to the country.'' UNI PDM AKJ AS1927