Journalist Ajay Bose, who has written a biography on Mayawati, says, "There is no doubt that crime in Uttar Pradesh has considerably reduced under Mayawati's rule. However, the mafia elements, which were with (Samajwadi Party leader) Mulayam Singh Yadav, have now joined Mayawati. The only difference is that the mafia has to listen to Mayawati or else she is tough with them. Under Mulayam they were running their own fiefdoms."
Asked if there has been any change in the status of Dalits in UP, Bose says, "Economically, there is not much change and there is still misery. But they have got lot of dignity. Policemen all over Uttar Pradesh treat them better compared to earlier."
What is the point of having so many statues of Dalit leaders all over Lucknow, we asked Bose. "These statues are symbolic for them," he says. "Every community or leader wants to leave a mark by constructing something different. Mayawati is doing the same. She is just following tradition."
Image: Mayawati's statue, shrouded in blue cloth due to the Model Code of Conduct.
Also see: 'Mayawati's voters like her diamonds and silks'| India Votes 2009
Advertisement
