Perturbed by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s frequent visits to Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has advised him to rise above party politics and instead help the state Government meet its demand for a special package of Rs 80,000 crore.

In an ultimatum to the Centre, Mayawati said: “If the Congress-led UPA Government failed to check price rise and did not pay any heed to the state Government’s demand for a Rs 80,000-crore package in the next two-three months, the BSP would shoot letters to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and President Pratibha Patil without any warning, confirming its withdrawal of support.” Mayawati, who has 17 members in the Lok Sabha, had on January 7 warned the Centre that her party would withdraw support if the special package for Bundelkhand was not sanctioned soon.

Addressing a press conference here, Mayawati called Rahul’s recent visit to homes of tribals and Dalits, a “drama”.

She said “the Congress’ yuvraj had forgotten that inflation was the burning issue which had put future of both the Congress and its coalition Government at stake.”

Mayawati said Rahul should rather help the UPA Government check inflation.