There is 'goonda raj' in Uttar Pradesh, says Mayawati

Lucknow: Strongly criticising the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh, BSP supremo Mayawati said today that under the present rule, 'goonda raj' is rampant across the state. 

Here are the highlights:

• 'Goonda raj' in UP, and they have patronage from ruling government
• Barring a few people from a certain caste, everyone else is living in fear.
• Cases of rape are on the rise (quotes the incidents in Pratapgarh and Etawah)
• There is rampant extortion in the state
• We acted against those who were involved in corruption. We sacked them as soon as allegations cropped up
• Other parties have become safe havens for those we removed on allegations of corruption. The SP is no longer worried about corruption.
• Kushwaha cannot politically help any party
• BSP leaders are being implicated in false cases
• I had asked the governor to impose presidents rule in UP
• Both Centre and state not serious about protecting citizens.
  
  On Bodh Gaya blasts:
  
• We condemn what happened in Bodh Gaya. I am going there tomorrow. But politics over the issue is in bad taste and condemnable
  
  On Ayodhya issue:
• We ask the Supreme Court to intervene so that political parties cannot exploit the Ayodhya issue
  
  On Telangana:
  
• Right from the beginning we have been in favour of a separate state of Telangana
  
  Maya on court ban on caste rallies:
• BSP wants to set up a caste-less society
• We will now organise rallies in the name of Sarva Samaj Bhaichara Sammelans. People should see it as a movement of social change.
  
• The court should also look into the role of organisations like VHP, RSS that stay behind the scenes and even call the shots as far as appointing the Chief Ministers and Prime Ministers
  
• Will ask the government to file a plea on Supreme Court's verdict as many political parties will take advantage of it
  
  On Narendra Modi's recent 'puppy' and 'Hindu Nationalist' comments:
• We condemn Narendra Modi's remarks
• BSP MP Vijay Bahadur had praised Modi. We don't subscribe to his views. He has been warned and all his responsibilities were taken away.
  
• If he continues this then we will be forced to expel him.
• Modi should study the constitution. It is based on the principles of secularism and not Hindutva