Mayawati's three years in power

Three years of Mayawati rule in UP in the 54-year-old BSP leader's fourth stint as Chief Minister.

Another reason for her to celebrate.

This time also because when she was sworn in on May 13, 2007, she had a complete mandate having been voted in by an overwhelming majority. In a state where the only political reality had been 17 years of fractured coalitions.

Have controversies affected her popularity? Here's a look at Mayawati's controversial reign. Watch: Mayawati completes three years in power

Forum: How do you rate Mayawati's performance as a CM?

Her much-talked-about social engineering, which saw the coming together of Dalits and Brahmins for the first time in history, ensured she had a simple majority in the state. Such a mandate also meant that Mayawati could finally build the memorials of Dalit icons, including her own, that she had always wanted. That these memorials cost nearly Rs 6,000 crore saw other parties up in arms.

Archrival Mulayam Singh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party, who has only seen political downslides since Maywati's spectacular ascent, has promised that when comes to power, he will raze these memorials. But hundreds of Dalit labourers working on Mayawati's dream projects have supported these manifestations of identity politics. Even the Dalit unskilled labour working tirelessly to build these massive icons have said they are proud to be associated.

But two years into her reign, it was time for a reality check. The Lok Sabha elections of 2009. Mayawati put up 80 candidates in the Lok Sabha elections last year. She had conquered the state, her eyes were now firmly set on the national stage. In the midst of talk of the return of a Third Front after the expected Left-Congress divorce, Mayawati saw a shining future armed as she would be with a bagful of seats from the biggest state. Mayawati as Prime Minister was a thought that did cross some minds.

But UP had other thoughts. The Congress, buoyed by the Rahul Gandhi factor, was back in the reckoning winning more seats than anyone had anticipated and putting paid to Mayawati's plans.

It was a wake-up call. Less than half her term had elapsed yet and cracks were evident in her vote base. Mayawati knew it was time to go back to the drawing board to ensure that every Dalit vote came back to her.

And it did, when the BSP swept the by-elections in November 2009. The BSP had recovered less than six months after the disappointment.

Mayawati then proved the Lok Sabha elections were a temporary blip, sweeping the Legislative Council elections. A sweet present for her birthday two days later.

And then, controversy struck. At a party rally this year, Mayawati was presented a garland made of 1,000 rupee notes in front of a gathering of five lakh people, most of who can barely afford one square meal.

There have been other controversies, not least over her penchant for building large monuments to honour herself. But if there has been one constant in Mayawati's political career, it is controversy. Not least for her indulgences on her lavish birthday parties.

Her favouring pastels in clothing, her fondness for jewellery, including large glittering diamonds, her larger-than-life birthday cakes have all caught the eye of critics who then question her claiming to represent poor Dalits.

But she has built the edifice of her political success without letting controversy come in the way of her single-minded focus. If anything she has been dismissive.

For Kumari Mayawati as she prefers to be known and Behen Ji as she is addressed by partymen and followers, has long had a USP. The groundswell of Dalit support which can negate any other political consideration on its day. She is an icon for millions of India's Dalits and often throws her being "the daughter of a Dalit" in the face of Opposition.

Mayawati was born in Delhi on 15 January 1956. Her father worked as a clerk. Mayawati graduated from Kalindi College in Delhi University and then became a teacher. She also holds a law degree.

Her political career began when she joined Dalit leader Kanshi Ram, who became her mentor. Kanshi Ram founded the Bahujan Samaj Party in the early 1980s and it was obvious very soon who his political heir was. The climb has largely been a steady upward graph since, though Mayawati has seen her share of setbacks.

In two years, Mayawati shall face the electoral test yet again. She cannot shut her eyes and pretend any more that Rahul Gandhi is not a factor. Will it be her earthy charisma that shall prevail or the backlash of controversy? Watch this space.