New Delhi: Swords have been drawn between Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) just days ahead of Rahul Gandhi's birthday and caught in this political battle is Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.
BSP supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati more than 12 years ago on June 17, 1997 had said, "If the Mahatma calls us children of god... then was he the son of a shaitan (devil)?"
The BSP has never liked the Mahatma Gandhi. BR Amebdkar also called Gandhi nothing but a middle class leader while BSP founder Kanshi Ram said Gandhiji's term Harijan is condescending to Dalits.
Now the Mahatma is again the target of the BSP's wrath. A booklet released by BSP has called the Mahatma a nautankibaaz (fake) setting off war of wards between BSP and Congress in Uttar Pradesh.
"Mayawati should take back her words otherwise Congress party will take appropriate action," demanded senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh.
The war over Mahatma perhaps could just be a beginning of a bigger battle in Uttar Pradesh ahead of Rahul Gandhi's birthday on June 19 keeping all eyes on the precious Dalit vote bank.
BSP will observe June 19 as sharm karo divas (shame day) whereas Congress will be observing a social justice day on the same day organising community feasts in Dalit areas.
In a booklet released, BSP has accused Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of staging a drama by showing sympathy for the Dalits and will also launch an awareness campaign against casteism clearly targeting the BJP and the Congress
Mayawati has also alleged that “Rahul Gandhi washes his hands every time he stays in a Dalit home and takes bath using a special soap.”
Clearly whether it is a Rahul Gandhi or a Mahatma Gandhi, Mayawati sees the surname Gandhi as her biggest rival for the Dalit vote.
After being hammered in the General Elections, the UP Assembly Elections of 2012 are crucial for Mayawati's survival.
So it is no wonder that when it comes to fighting elections, Maya cannot afford to do any Gandhigiri.
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