Uttar Pradesh polls: Voting for SP means helping BJP win elections, says Mayawati

Lucknow: On Saturday, BSP president Mayawati cautioned Muslims in Uttar Pradesh that their interests were not safe with the Samajwadi Party, which is mired in family feud, and voting for it will mean strengthening the BJP. "The 'sarv samaj' including the Muslims should understand that their interests were not safe in Samajwadi Party.... Voting for SP which today stands divided into two factions means strengthening BJP and helping it win elections," Mayawati said in a statement. The BSP supremo has been reaching out to Muslims in a big way, especially as the public feud between Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle Shivpal Yadav threatened to driveaway loyal voters of Samajwadi Party in the poll-bound state. Attacking the Samajwadi Party, Mayawati alleged that ever since it came to power, "goonda, mafia , corrupt and communal elements are ruling the roost and jungleraj is prevailing" in Uttar Pradesh. The BSP chief said that the ongoing tussle in the Samajwadi Party family has further harmed the law and order situation. Mayawati also lashed out at Akhilesh for making "lofty claims" and launching schemes such as Dial-100 and asked him to desist from making any further announcements, "the benefit of which he will not be able to extend to the people". Dial-100 is aimed at reducing the police emergency response time.