UPCOCA was first cleared by the Vidhan Sabha on November 5 by a voice vote while the Opposition staged a walkout. However, in the Legislative Council, where the ruling BSP is in a minority, the Bill could not be passed due to strong opposition from the Samajwadi Party.

It was then sent to a select committee for consideration on November 6. The select committee was expected to give its report in 90 days, but the report never came and the Government again tabled it in the Assembly in February 2008 for passage.

While tabling the Bill, Mayawati had stated that UPCOCA would effectively deal with land grabbers, contract killers, kidnappers, contractors, hawala traders, economic offenders, drugs and spurious medicine dealers. The proposed Act was also meant to check public display of firearms.

Mayawati had called the Act fulfillment of the promises made by her during the election campaign when she had promised to free the state of the SP’s jungle raj.