EC order to drape statues may help Mayawati and BSP: Congress

New Delhi: Congress today took a dig at Mayawati for her attack on the EC which had ordered draping of her statues and her party symbol elephant, saying the decision may finally help her as people would have voted with greater vengeance against BSP had these remained uncovered. The party also ridiculed the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for her statement that the statues were installed at the will of late Kanshi Ram. “BSP may actually end up being benefited from this (ECs) order because people in Uttar Pradesh are so much upset with this government that seeing her statues and her party symbols in public, they would have voted against Mayawati government with greater vengeance,” Party spokesperson Rashid Alvi said. “Covering of her statues as well as those of her party symbol could actually dilute that simmering anger and she may be saved from people’s strong disapproval,” Alvi said. [caption id=“attachment_182833” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Mayawati had earlier said the EC should have issued directives also to get Congress’ poll symbol ‘hand’ and RLD’s symbol ‘handpump’ covered like the statues of elephant. Getty Images”]  [/caption] Mayawati had earlier said the EC should have issued directives also to get Congress’ poll symbol ‘hand’ and RLD’s symbol ‘handpump’ covered like the statues of elephant. “If the EC does not take right decisions regarding symbols of these two parties, then the people will consider this decision (with regard to BSP) taken with an anti-dalit and casteist mentality and under pressure of the Congress-led government at the Centre,” she had said in Lucknow. Condemning the comments, Alvi said, “It is the duty of the Election Commission to hold free and fair elections and nobody should criticise the poll body for what it does under its jurisdiction. Political parties should refrain from criticising the Commission.” Asked about Mayawati’s statement that these statues were installed as per the will of Kanshi Ram, Alvi remarked, “This is unprecedented in the whole world that an individual makes a will about Government property. Wills are only made about personal properties.” Mayawati had said as per the will of Kanshiram, her party set up Bahujan Prerna Sthal in Lucknow and Delhi during his lifetime and installed her statues along with his. “Opposition parties are insulting the will of Kanshiram by floating stories,” she had said. PTI