UP: Mayawati justifies installing her statues in SC; says 'It was the will of people'

The affidavit came in compliance with the last order of the apex court asking her that prima facie, it seems she needs to pay back the money as she had spent a lot of public money on installation of many statues of herself and elephants in the state.

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New Delhi: BSP Chief Mayawati on Tuesday filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court justifying expenses made by her government in installation of life-sized her and elephant statues across Uttar Pradesh. In an affidavit she stated “It was the will of people”. Whether the money should have been spent on education or hospitals "is a debatable question and can't be decided by a court," Mayawati said in her affidavit before the Supreme Court. The affidavit came in compliance with the last order of the apex court asking her that prima facie, it seems she needs to pay back the money as she had spent a lot of public money on installation of many statues of herself and elephants in the state. Mayawati also said that Bahujan Samaj Party founder and former National President Kanshi Ram wanted that her statues should be placed in Uttar Pradesh. Mayawati has been cornered various times by many parties over the issue and she has been criticized for spending public money for building statues. Mayawati has repeatedly refused on paying back the money from her own pocket, saying it includes public sentiments and was made for the people. The Supreme Court is hearing a 2009 PIL against installation of giant statues of Mayawati, her idol Kanshi Ram and elephants, which is a BSP symbol.