Money for poor being spent on Saifai Mahotsav, alleges Mayawati

Lucknow: Charging the Akhilesh Yadav government with “insensitivity”, BSP supremo Mayawti on Saturday said crores of rupees were being diverted for “Saifai Mahotsav” even as several lives were lost due to cold in Uttar Pradesh. “On one hand several people have lost their lives due to cold and on the other this government is spending crores of rupees of the poor and common people on the Saifai mela, displaying an insensitive attitude,” she told reporters. [caption id=“attachment_2028799” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Mayawati. AFP[/caption] Saifai Mahotsav is an annual jamboree organised at SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav’s village. Making a fresh demand for imposition of President’s rule in the state, Mayawati said, “Giving even a single mark to the UP government out of 100 on the law and order situation will be betraying people of the state.” Mayawati claimed that anti-social elements were ruling and corruption was at its zenith in the state and added that legislators and ministers were allegedly not allowing honest civil and police officials to function properly. Referring to the recent gangrape of a minor by two policemen in Badaun district, she said, “Girls are not safe while venturing out for work even during day time.” Demanding dismissal of the Samajwadi Party government in the interest of the state and its people, she appealed to Governor Ram Naik through the media for imposition of President’s rule. On the protests by certain organisations against Aamir Khan starrer ‘PK’, Mayawati advised the chief minister, who recently declared it tax-free, that he should desist from taking any step that could fan communal passion. She asked the film makers and government departments associated with film to see to it that they do not project any such thing that could hurt religious sentiments. To a question as to whether she supported VHP’s demand to ban the movie, Mayawati said she does not see films and without viewing it she cannot say anything. PTI