Dalit leader and LJP chief Ramvilas Paswan has decided to take on arch rival BSP supremo Mayawati in her own turf. Paswan declared on Monday that his party team would visit Mayawati’s native village Badalpur and launch an agitation against “forced” capture of poor farmers’ land.

“This is more dangerous than Nandigram. Mayawati is capturing poor farmers’ land to build a house, garden on the roof and helipad for her personal use. We cannot be mute spectators. Our party will launch an agitation against this and ensure that the farmers get back their land,” an angry Paswan told reporters. He said that in West Bengal, the Government was acquiring land in Nandigram for setting up an industry but here, she was doing so for her personal use. “This is a crime,” he said.

Paswan is known for his animosity towards “dalit icon” and UP Chief Minister Mayawati. Though Paswan primarily derives his political strength from Bihar, he has been focusing on UP these days to take on his dalit rival. He has visited the state a number of times recently and held party rallies.

Though averse to joining hands with RJD chief Lalu Yadav in Bihar, Paswan is learnt to be keen on a tie-up with the SP-Congress combine in UP to lend his support in weakening Mayawati in the state.

Reacting strongly to Mayawati’s heir announcement at her Lucknow rally, Paswan charged that she was treating UP as her personal property. “She is installing her own statues. Then she is declaring her heir. Is UP a temple or monastery or her personal property that she is declaring a heir,” Paswan asked and charged Mayawati of being an opportunist leader who had nothing to do with the welfare of dalits.