BSP not to contest local body polls: Mayawati

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Smarting under poll debacle, BSP on Sunday expressed fears about return of 'goondaraj' in Uttar Pradesh and said it would not contest the upcoming local body polls, apprehending that the ruling Samajwadi Party might target its candidates.

"SP's record has always been bad in this regard. Under such circumstances not only there is question on free and fair conduct of forthcoming local bodies elections, but there is also apprehension of large scale violence and loss of lives of our men, which I cannot tolerate," BSP supremo Mayawati said addressing a national workers convention here.

Announcing that the BSP had to take some strong decisions under the prevailing circumstances, she ruled out BSP's participation in any election in the state which is not held directly under the supervision of the election commission or the central forces.

"Barring Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, polls of local bodies and panchayat are not held under direct supervision of the EC and CPMF, but are conducted by state election machinery and police," the former chief minister said.

"As a result of this the BSP has decided not to contest any election, including forthcoming local bodies elections, which is not held under the supervision of the EC and CPMF...if any party leader or office-bearer participate in it then he will be immediately suspended," she said.

She said the decision was taken to protect the partymen from loss of life or property. The BSP chief alleged that free and fair elections were not possible under SP government with its administration and police.

She said the recently concluded elections had exposed the bitter truth that despite a difference of 24.5 lakh votes, SP got absolute majority in the Assembly as compared to BSP.

"Now the SP people are claiming election results to be a mandate in their favour. They are considering that after this they have also got mandate to establish jungleraj and goondaraj in the state," she alleged.

She said after recent incidents of violence apprehensions of return of goondaraj were being expressed. "This is a matter of concern. It is a matter of special concern for the BSP as partymen are being targeted," she alleged.

Civic body polls are due to be held in Uttar Pradesh this year for which the dates have not been announced.

Going into possible reasons behind the BSP's defeat in UP, Mayawati said when Congress raised the issue of Muslim quota, BJP opposed it and in the process made an attempt to attract OBC votes.

"Wary of the fact that BJP may come to power, Muslims keeping in view weak position of Congress transferred their nearly 70 per cent votes to SP candidates," she said.

Reviewing outcome of the assembly elections, she said difference of 24.5 lakh votes between SP and BSP made unprecedented difference in 144 seats.

She said the political situation in the wake of assembly results of five states would certainly affect state and national politics.

Noting that possiblity of mid-term polls cannot be ruled out, she said, "It seems that the general elections of Lok Sabha would be held much before 2014. Therefore, the party workers should remain prepared at all levels," she said.

Referring to issues of price rise, unemployment and corruption, Mayawati alleged that anti-people and poor policies of Congress-led UPA government were responsible for these problems.

She said time has come when power at the Centre should be in the ‘right hands’. Mayawati also announced major changes in the organisation in the state by dissolving all committees including bhaichara and zonal, party sources said.