http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070036802&ch=12/24/2007%206:35:00%20PM
Mayawati foresees 'central role' for self Press Trust of India Monday, December 24, 2007 (New Delhi) Confident of playing a pivotal role in the formation of the next government at the Centre, BSP chief Mayawati proposes to repeat the Uttar Pradesh experiment of rallying together dalits and upper castes in all prominent states. She saw bright prospects for the Bahujan Samaj Party under her stewardship. ''Chances are bright for the BSP to catapult to power under my leadership. I expect the BSP under my leadership to take charge of governance in India,'' she said in an interview to Hong Kong-based CFO Asia magazine. The 51-year-old leader said this in reply to a question on whether she would play a ''central role'' in the formation of the next government. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister preceded her remarks by saying that she proposed to ''repeat the UP experiment'' of securing the support of both the low-caste Dalits and upper-caste Hindus along with minorities under her banner in all major states. ''I am putting in the hard work to shape the party into a pan-Indian political force with a distinct identity. I am busy evolving a working understanding with politically active regional groups that would be valued partners in my campaign,'' she said. Asked whether it was possible to balance the aspirations of upper and lower caste people, she said there was no contradiction in balancing aspirations of people from different strata of the society. ''The upper caste Hindus know that their interest lies in lending support to us (Dalits). In politics, Dalits are willing to accommodate the high-caste Hindus. We are trying to make the Dalits understand that divisive politics practised by UPA and NDA are not in their favour either,'' she said.
