Mayawati promises reservation to poor of upper castes

New Delhi, Nov 24 (UNI) After promising ''decriminalisation'' of Delhi yesterday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP supremo Mayawati today said if voted to power, her party would work for the disadvantaged and give reservation to even poor of the upper castes in contrast to the ''Congress and the BJP which worked only to further the interest of the rich and the capitalist.'' Addressing a rally in Alipur village of the Okhla area in south Delhi, Ms Mayawati said her party had several times written to the Centre demanding reservation for the poor of the high castes as she believed that anyone disadvantaged irrespective of caste affiliation should be given special support to make progress.

''It was, however, sad that neither the BJP nor the Congress governments paid any attention to the demand and made no efforts to amend the Constitution accordingly,'' she underlined.

The BSP chief declared that she would not lose a moment in extending reservation to these people after she formed government at the Centre.

She also accused the Congress of using the Muslims as its vote bank while doing nothing for their upliftment.

In the last 60 years, the share of the community in govermment jobs had come down from 33 per cent to two per cent, she sought to point out.

The UP CM said she had given jobs to the Muslims under the backward classes category and cleared the backlog of the quota for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.

Ms Mayawati urged Delhiites to facilitate the maiden entry of BSP into the Delhi Assembly by giving overwhelming support to all its 70 candidates in the fray.

Listing the various problems of the Capital relating to infrastructure, electricity, water and sewer, she said all these would be solved, if her party came to power.

Speaking at the rally, UP Advisory Council chairman and BSP General Secretary Satish Chandra Misra said the party did not represent any particular caste, but was for 'Sarva Jan' (All).

Another General Secretray of the party Shahid Siddiqui said the Muslims had become aware and could no more be fooled by the Congress. He appealed to them to join the BSP, as that was the only party that could give them a share in power.

Attacking the BJP, he said the ''safforn is also now invloved in terror acts, so should stop showing mirrors to others.'' Ms Mayawati was presented a golden crown at the rally, which was marked by heavy presence of women.

UNI SN-NAZ ATI KP2022