Political parties indulging in narrow, deceptive politics: Mayawati

Bahujan Samaj Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Sunday hit out at rival political parties, alleging that they indulge in ''narrow and deceptive politics''.

She urged people to remain cautious and repose their faith in the ''fully tested'' BSP and its ''Iron Lady'' leadership.

Addressing a major meeting of the party's Uttar Pradesh unit at the BSP office on Mall Avenue here, Mayawati reviewed organisational strengthening, preparations for the upcoming assembly elections and efforts to expand the party's support base.

Booth-level in-charges, assembly, district and state committee office-bearers attended the meeting and presented their progress reports.

Mayawati arrived at the meeting with her nephew Akash Anand, who touched her feet and was blessed by her before the proceedings began.

Appealing to people to stay away from ''the narrow and deceptive politics of non-BSP parties'', Mayawati questioned whether it was acceptable that ''people are finding it difficult to live with self-respect''.

She also targeted rival parties over their election strategies, alleging that governments and political parties make tall claims of public welfare and spend extravagantly during elections but become indifferent to their promises after the polls.

She claimed that the ''deceptive and divisive politics'' of such parties were harming public and national interest, leaving people helpless and struggling in their daily lives.

Referring to recent assembly elections in five states, Mayawati alleged that ruling parties influenced elections through ''unexpected and unprecedented methods'' and later diverted attention from public welfare and governance, leaving people feeling cheated.

Expressing concern over what she termed the country's ''sad and bitter'' political, social and economic conditions, Mayawati alleged that policies favouring big capitalists and wealthy sections were harming the interests of common people.

The BSP supremo said people are burdened with inflation, unemployment and new rules and regulations, making life more stressful and difficult for crores of families.

She said governments should not turn away from their constitutional responsibility of ensuring welfare governance.

She advised governments to focus on livelihood issues, communal harmony and law and order.

Recalling her tenure in office, the four-time Uttar Pradesh chief minister particularly highlighted that the party and government gave importance to all sections of society, including Brahmins and weaker sections, by providing proper representation.

Addressing party workers, she urged them to firmly counter the moves of ''seasoned and manipulative opponents'' as the BSP did in the 2007 assembly elections, when it formed a majority government in Uttar Pradesh for the first time.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)