BSP supporters congregate in Lucknow to celebrate party's 25 years

Lucknow, Mar 15 (ANI): Tens of thousands of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supporters congregated in Lucknow on Monday to attend a mass rally held to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the party, which coincides with the birth anniversary of party founder Kanshi Ram.

Media reports said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP supremo Mayawati has spent around two billion rupees for the rally.

About 10,000 police personnel have been deployed for the rally. Two special trains would also run to transfer party workers to and from Lucknow.

Supporters gathered at the venue early morning and were anxiously waiting for their leader to arrive.

"We have come here to show our support to our leader so that she moves forward and we stay united. We are waiting for her to come and are ready to wait till tomorrow," said Shankar Lal, a BSP supporter.

Mayawati had earlier come under criticism, with opposition parties in the state accusing her of amassing wealth and misusing the state administration.

Earlier, Mayawati had charged the Central Government of playing politics over Pratapgarh stampede saying the State Government did not have enough funds to help the victims of the stampede.

At least 65 people were killed in were killed in a stampede on March 4 in Kripaluji Maharaj's Ashram in Mangarh village of Pratapgarh district. (ANI)