No link between birthday and engineer killing: Maya

“Even the family members of the deceased were satisfied with the police investigation in the case. They met me two days back and said that they were not demanding CBI probe,” the UP Chief Minister said.

Taking a dig at the opposition,she said BSP workers collected “double the amount” of donations for the party this time thanks to their onslaught against her and the party in the wake of the killing of executive engineer M K Gupta last month allegedly by a party MLA. She said the funds were collected for fighting the coming Lok Sabha polls.

“I hope that they (opposition parties) think similarly about our party in future as well so that we can grow. Whenever opposition parties resorted to such obnoxious attacks on BSP,the party has only increased its influence,” she said.

BSP observed the day as ‘Dhikkar Divas’ (condemnation day) after the opposition parties linked collection of money on her birthday to the killing of the engineer.

The main opposition in the state Samajwadi Party observed this day as ‘Thu Thu Divas’ (Spiting Day).

Mayawati alleged that the opposition parties attempted to link the killing to her birthday keeping in mind the election as her party’s influence was growing.

“Had I wished my party leaders could have replied to the opposition in similar manner but I do not allow my party workers to engage in such cheap politics”,she added.

Mayawati also showered sops on the people of the state ahead of the Lok Sabha elections,announcing schemes and projects worth Rs 3000 crore.

“For the Bahujan Samaj Party it has been a tradition to offer gifts to the people of the state on my birthday,” she told reporters.

Among the schemes launched were Mahamaya Gareeb Balika Ashirwaas Yojna wherein financial assistance of Rs one lakh would be provided to poor girls born on or after January 15,2009,once they attain the age of 18,an education programme for poor girl – Savitribai Phule Balika Shiksha Madad Yojna– under which financial assistance of Rs 25,000 would be extended to each beneficiary to pursue secondary education.

Under Sarvjan Hitay Gareeb Awas Yojna,the chief minister said the government has decided to give ownership rights to the people living on public land at nominal rates.

Maywati accused the Samajwadi Party,which is observing the day as ‘Thu Thu Divas’,the Congress and the BJP of indulging in “cheap and dirty politics”

“We could have observed UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s birthday as Gulami Diwas (Slavery Day),Mulayam’s birthday as dalal diwas (Touts’ Day) or BJP leader’s birthday as dhokhadhadi diwas (Frauds’ Day). But we don’t believe in such tactis and our workers are not allowed to indulge in cheap politics,” she said.

“Associating my birthday with extortion is nothing more than a political drama and an attempt to malign BSP’s image,but it will not affect the party’s base”,she said,and claimed the BSP will emerge stronger in Lok Sabha elections.

Mayawati said that the opposition was scared of SP’s expanding base. She claimed stern action had been taken against all the accused in the engineer murder case. “The engineer’s family which met me a couple of days back expressed satisfaction and turned down the demand for a CBI probe.”

“The opposition’s tirade has resulted in a massive financial gain for the party. The workers have raised double funds than what they did last year. Fund generated will help the party in Lok Sabha elections,” she claimed.

The chief minister said that to condemn the opposition efforts the party was observing ‘Dhikaar Diwas’ (Condemnation Day) on Thursday.