BSP president and former UP Chief Minister Mayawati on Wednesday promised to give Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh which both the Congress and the BJP have failed to grant so far.
Addressing a press conference, along with her alliance partner Jana Sena Party president and actor Pawan Kalyan here at Sai Priya Resorts, she said, while the Congress did injustice by bifurcating the State without according the special status, the BJP made tall promises during 2014 elections but failed to keep none of them.
Asked whether she was in the race to become Prime Minister, she said it would depend on the poll outcome and the desire of the people. However, she added that she would replicate the UP model of development which she had ushered in during her four-time stint as Chief Minister of the State, if given an opportunity.
Exuding confidence that the BSP, JSP, CPI and CPI (M) alliance would form the next government headed by Mr. Kalyan, whom she described as a young leader with passion to serve the poor and the downtrodden.
Mr. Kalyan who also spoke briefly said, Ms. Mayawati was a tall leader with proven track-record of administration and that the country needed her services as the Prime Minister. He denied the charge that he was ‘soft’ in attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP saying he never used ‘indecent’ words against anyone like AP CM Chandrababu Naidu..
Ms. Mayawati said in UP BSP-Samajwadi Party and its allies were all set to sweep the elections teaching the BJP a fitting lesson. She said in other States also the parties which subscribe to their ideology would come together post-elections.
Asked to comment on the buzz in certain quarters that BSP alliance with JSP would help Telugu Desam Party, she shot back, “don’t you think division in TDP and YSR Congress Party will help our alliance to form the government in Andhra Pradesh?”
