Work on veiling Maya statues, BSP symbol yet to commence

Lucknow, Jan 9: Two days after the Election Commission's directive, work on covering the statues of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and her party symbol is yet to commence in the state capital and in Noida.

Though some statues were covered in haste by employees in Noida yesterday, the orders for the same arrived only last evening, officials said today.

"Draping of statues as directed by the Election Commission would be completed in stipulated period given by January 11 at 5 pm," said Hridesh Kumar, District Magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar.

There are around 52 elephant statues and two Mayawati statues at Noida national Dalit prernasthal. At Gautam Budha University too there are 10 statues of elephants and one of Mayawati, Kumar said.

Authorities in Lucknow also said they have received the order, and draping would start from tomorrow and will be done in stipulated period given by the commission. However, it has not begun yet.

"The work of draping statues will not be executed today and could start from tomorrow," Lucknow district magistrate and district electoral officer Anil Sagar said.

He said that efforts would be made to complete the work within the deadline fixed by the EC.

Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha said that orders have been given and it has to be complied by the DEO.

"January 15 deadline has been fixed. DEO can take time for logistics, but if they can do it immediately then they should proceed," Sinha said.

The statues of BSP's symbol, elephant, constructed under a fountain in Samajik Parivartan Sthal at Gomti Nagar in Lucknow were covered yesterday, though some BSP activists allegedly removed the veil within minutes.

PTI