BSP seeks to woo upper class, promises quota

Eyeing the crucial upper caste votes ahead of next year's general elections, the BSP today promised to provide reservation to economically weaker people of the community if voted to power at the Centre.
Addressing a gathering of of the Brahmin community, BSP national general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra alleged that atrocities were committed against Brahmins of the state, and the present SP regime has "cheated" them.
"While murders of Brahmins are taking place, the Chief Minister has tried to brush it aside by saying that such minor incidents keep taking place," Mishra alleged.
He said there are 16 per cent Brahmin and 24 per cent Dalit votes in Uttar Pradesh and if they can come together, no force can stop party supremo Mayawati from becoming the Prime Minister.

Mishra said the BSP always gave due honours to the Brahmins and during its regime, 15 cabinet ministers and 30 ministers of state belonged to the community.
People belonging to the Brahmin community were given key posts like the chief secretary, DGP and advocate general and besides that, 5000 Brahmins were appointed as government counsel, Mishra said.
Continuing his tirade against Samajwadi Party, Mishra alleged that the present government halted projects worth Rs 9,000 crore sanctioned during BSP regime for the integrated development of Mathura, Kashi, Vrindavan and Prayag, which are the "centres of faith" for the Brahmins.
The grant to Sanskrit schools was also stopped, and the fund meant for development is being used to distribute laptops and scholarships, Mishra said.