Date:15/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/15/stories/2006101502701000.htm

National

We must gain power in Delhi: Mayawati

First come to power in Maharashtra, BSP chief tells cadres

Kanshi Ram dreamed of motivating Dalits and OBCs

Nagpur: Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP president Mayawati on Saturday declared that she and her supporters would not embrace Buddhism till her party gained power in Delhi.

Addressing a rally of BSP workers here on the 50th anniversary of Dalit icon B.R. Ambedkar embracing Buddhism, she asked her party leaders to strive to first gain power in Maharashtra and then at the Centre.

Ms. Mayawati said both BSP founder Kanshi Ram and she were hoping that the party would rule the country one day.

The last rites of Kanshi Ram were performed as per the Buddhist tradition though he was not a Buddhist, she said.

"I conducted the last rites of Kanshi Ram to show the world a glimpse of social reformation when a woman can carry out such a responsibility," she said. The followers of BSP will practise Buddhist rituals, she said.

Ms. Mayawati regretted that during the last 50 years, Buddhism could not spread fast across the country. Kanshi Ram, who founded the BSP in 1984, had a dream of motivating 52 per cent of the country's population, which mainly includes Dalits and OBCs, she said. — PTI