Lucknow: Literally, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has her own inimitable way of buying loyalty of her supporters. On Saturday she blatantly put a price tag - to insure loyalty of Brahmins.
"Each of the Brahmin societies set up in the 403 assembly constituencies of the state must shell out Rs 25,000 as gift towards my birthday, that is traditionally celebrated as fund-raising day for the party," Mayawati told a meeting of Brahmins in Lucknow.
That it would be a straight quid pro quo was also clearly spelt out by her.
"Let me assure you that I do not believe in just using you as a vote bank. When I come to power I will see to it that you get an appropriate share in governance," she said.
Explaining her demand for gifts on her birthday (January 15) every year, Mayawati said: "Ours is not a party funded by affluent industrialists or business houses. So we have to depend on contributions made by our own supporters."
"I am not asking you to give me gold, silver or diamonds, just give us some cash so that we can run the party and take it ahead. After all when all other communities under the BSP umbrella voluntarily give donations, why should Brahmins lag behind."?
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