Mayawati denies Rahul Gandhi permission to garland statue at Ambedkar Nagar

Ambedkar Nagar (Uttar Pradesh), Apr 14 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has reportedly denied permission to Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi to garland a statue of Dr. B.R.Ambedkar during his visit to Ambedkar Nagar on Wednesday.

Gandhi is expected to flag off a Chetna Yatra (awareness drive) to mark 125 years of the party's establishment.

Both the Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) are taking out rallies here today to mark the 119th birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar.

Congress sources said Gandhi would flag off ten vehicles to cover all 403-assembly constituencies in the state and would also address a rally.

The Congress Party is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the programme is a success, and is mobilizing its workers from the adjoining districts of Barabanki, Gonda, Faizabad, Azamgarh and Basti for the Chetna Yatra.

Tight security arrangements have been made for Gandhi's Ambedkar Nagar visit, as the BSP is charged up to protest against the wrong policies of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government and the shortcomings in the Women's Reservation Bill.

There are reports that despite the BSP calling for a state-wide agitation, Ambedkar Nagar is the focal point of the BSP rally, as senior state government leaders are expected to stage a demonstration here.

"Four companies of Provincial Armed Constabullary (PAC) have been dispatched to the district from the DGP headquarters," said Additional Director General of Police Brij Lal. (ANI)