|
Mahatma Gandhi was natakbaaz,
says Maya
WSN Network
LUCKNOW: The
Bahujan Samaj Party’s view about Mahatma Gandhi has remained the
same but it is surprising how everytime the UP Chief Minister
Mayawati reiterates it, the Indian media acts shocked and cries
off. Addressing her party functionaries here on Saturday, the Uttar
Pradesh chief minister called Mahatma Gandhi natakbaaj (a phony)
who, she claimed, staged a “drama” by visiting Dalit homes and
eating meals with them while doing little to help their cause.
Immediately, as
if on cue, the media was after her for deriding the man that it has
put on a pedestal. Mayawati has treated both Gandhis equally,
Mahatma and Rahul, but the elderly and late Gandhi has come in
normally for more flak. She was criticizing Rahul Gandhi for cosying
up to Dalits by visiting their homes and eating meals with them and
then said it was all a drama just as Mahatma Gandhi used to do.
“Putting up a show of equality has been an old tactic of parties
(like the Congress) to gain votes... Even Gandhi resorted to drama
like this during his lifetime.” Her tirade against Gandhi came days
after the state Congress announced plans to celebrate Mr Rahul
Gandhi’s birthday as Samrasta Divas (Social Harmony and Equality
Day) in the state on 19 June.
On the occasion, Congressmen will
visit Dalit localities and homes and share meals with them, said
Subodh Srivastava, state Congress spokesperson. During this second
meeting of party functionaries called after the election, Miss
Mayawati called upon BSP workers to ensure an attendance of more
than one lakh at public meetings on the same day at headquarters in
every district. She also distributed pamphlets among party workers
in which she accused the Congress and other parties of engaging in a
casteist conspiracy to stop her from becoming Prime Minister.
17
June 2009
|
Read Also