After her last birthday celebrations ran into controversy over allegations of forcible collection of money, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Thursday told her party leaders that no such exercise should be carried out in future to mark the occasion.

Till this year, the BSP used to celebrate her birthday on January 15 as “Arthik Sahyog Diwas” (ASD).

The announcement was made by her at the BSP national convention in Lucknow where she was elected as the party’s national president for the third consecutive term.

“Mayawati has directed the party representatives that the monetary help given on her birthday is being abolished from next year,” a press release issued by the party stated.

Following the death of a PWD engineer M K Gupta in December 2008, after he was allegedly asked to give money for the CM’s birthday, Mayawati had to face bitter criticism from the Opposition.

BSP leaders have welcomed the latest decision saying the party would now instead focus on increasing the number of memberships.

“This is a good decision. Instead of celebrating Mayawati’s birthday as ASD, we will now undertake efforts to increase the number of party members,” said a leader.

The party has, however, increased its membership fee. “For the last six years, the party had not increased its membership fee. Now, the party would charge Rs 40 as membership fee,” a BSP leader said. The membership drive will be launched from January 1 to March 31.

At the convention, Mayawati discussed political strategies for the forthcoming Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections.

... contd.