About a hundred yards away, stood a vast metal frame that had been erected for a rain-proof shamiana, big enough to accommodate 6,000 people, for the original July 3 function.

In a brief speech, the BSP supremo justified the construction of the memorials. “The total cost is less than the value of land on which memorials like Rajghat have been developed in Delhi,” she said. “They say that the money spent could have been used for setting up several hospitals and schools. But I want to make it clear that no fund of education or health departments has been used in the construction.” She added that the construction works also provided temporary jobs to a large number of people.

Neither the Chief Minister, nor the officials present, however, thought it necessary to explain why the ceremony was so subdued and sudden.

It was only around 4 pm on Thursday that officers were told to start making preparations for the ceremony. The projects Mayawati dedicated hours later to the public include a Kanshi Ram Memorial, the entrance to Amedkar Memorial, Ambedkar Vihar, Samtamulak Chowk, Samajik Parivartan Gallery, Bhimrao Ambedkar Drishya Sthal, Ambedkar Samkajik Parivartan Pratibimb Sthal, Samajik Parivartan Sangrahalay, Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Jan Suvidha Parisar, Buddh Bihar Shanti Upwan and Kanshiram Park.

Among these, Bhimrao Ambedkar Drishya Sthal and Ambedkar Samkajik Parivartan Pratibimb Sthal are nowhere near completion.

Mayawati flayed her opponents for criticising the installation of statues of such social icons, great men and gurus, “who brought change in society”, and “which would inspire coming generations of Indian society”.

... contd.