Mayawati promises welfare for upper castes as well
May 15, 2007 - 1:36:38 PM
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Political leaders have been seeking her support since she will have a major say in the presidential election by virtue of the number of votes Uttar Pradesh commands in the complicated process to elect India's president.
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By IANS,
[RxPG] New Delhi, May 15 - Shedding her anti-upper caste bias, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has said she will work to reconcile the interests all sections of society with those of the Dalits, who have been the traditional vote bank for her party for over two decades.
'When I could ensure complete transformation of upper caste and Dalit votes to each other, balancing the two socially is not an issue at all,' said Mayawati, who pulled a surprise victory for her Bahujan Samaj Party - in the recently concluded assembly elections in India's most populous state.
'We will take steps with 'sarvsamaj'- in mind. Of course, weaker sections will get priority but the poor among forward castes would also get due attention,' Mayawati, who only uses a single name, told The Times of India in what was her first interview after assuming the office of chief minister for the fourth time.
Asked if her party's experiment of an alliance between the upper caste and Dalits - was complete, given the Dalit supremacist philosophy of her party for over two decades, she, in turn, queried: 'If we had not would we have got so many seats?'
Mayawati said her twin priorities as chief minister were ensuring law and order in the state and its development. She said while law and order did not require money, development did, adding: 'We have to see what's left in the treasury.'
She said people wanted her state to become 'Uttam', or a pre-eminent state, with happiness and prosperity.
'On law and order, there is no need for money. It only requires some 'shakti' -. Good law and order is a must. But development requires money. There have to be the funds to back the schemes.'
Mayawati admitted she was getting calls from various leaders regarding the candidate she has in mind for the country's next president, with elections to the top office due in July, but added: 'I have not given it a thought as yet.'
Political leaders have been seeking her support since she will have a major say in the presidential election by virtue of the number of votes Uttar Pradesh commands in the complicated process to elect India's president.
'I haven't spoken to anyone. Once I have given comprehensive thought to the issue, I will return the calls. Right now, I have not considered the subject.'
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