File Photo: BSP chief and Rajya Sabha Member Mayawati. (Press Trust of India)
BSP supremo Mayawati today targeted the BJP-led government over the CBI's decision to question her on the multi-crore NRHM scam, claiming she had no connection with it and that the Centre was misusing the agency ahead of Bihar elections for political gains.
Questioning the timing of the CBI investigation against her, she said the move against her was an attempt to "demoralise" her party and divert attention from the "failure" of the government to fulfil its promises made to the people.
"I have no connection to the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam. BJP, which is trying to use CBI, should give up such tactics as such attempts have cost them dearly earlier," she told reporters in New Delhi.
But at the same time she said the decision of the agency could be the handiwork of some "casteist officers" who look down upon Dalits and backwards.
"It is possible that the high command of the BJP is not aware of the move of these officers...it has to be probed," she said.
The BSP supremo claimed that the decision to question her four years after the scam came to light only reeks of political vendetta.
"It is like serving absolute majority in UP elections to the BSP. We have no problems with it...during Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, cases were lodged against me in Taj corridor case as well as a case of disproportionate assets was filed but I was given clean chit by the High Court as well as the Supreme Court," she said.
She said before a CBI officer called me, the news that "I could be questioned in the NRHM scam was leaked to the media in a bid to demoralise me and my party workers ahead of Bihar assembly elections".
Ms Mayawati said such tactics of misleading the people will not help the BJP in any way.
"I do not succumb to pressure, I do not bend," she said.
Explaining her stand on the issue, Ms Mayawati said the decision was taken by her cabinet and subsequent decisions on appointing two chief medical officers in every district was taken by the concerned minister Babulal Kushwaha.
"I warn BJP to give up such deeds. Congress had also tried such tricks to divert attention from its failures of governance," she said.
Indicating a possible understanding between BJP and SP, she said the Uttar Pradesh government's "failures" especially on the law and order front are being deliberately ignored by the Centre for political gains.
She also attacked the Akhilesh Yadav government for holding the first phase of panchayat elections on October 9 which is the death anniversary of Kanshi Ram.
She said people, who will vote in the elections, won't be able to come to Lucknow to pay their homage to the BSP leader.