The distinctive mandate in 2007 thrust a responsibility on Mayawati. It would be disheartening if she steps away from it now. The UP chief minister has already made a few missteps, like the rollback of a progressive agriculture policy that promised better remuneration to farmers by allowing private sector participation, only 20 days after announcing it. Many more tests are coming up ahead. The Ganga Expressway project, which will ensure high speed connectivity between the eastern and western boundaries of UP, is provoking noisy opposition already. As she and her partymen and women celebrate her 52nd birthday a few days from now, Mayawati would do well to pause a moment and reflect on the promises she has made to her electorate, some despite herself, and the costs of breaking them.