Date:23/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/23/stories/2008122354490400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

“Coordinate with upper castes to replicate UP model in State”

Special Correspondent

Former Chennai Police Commissioner P. Kalimuthu joins BSP

“BSP is not in the habit of collecting donations from corporate houses”

CHENNAI: Former Chennai City Police Commissioner P. Kalimuthu and former South Chennai MP R.Sridharan joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, who was here to attend a brotherhood meeting organised by the state unit.

The sitting MLA of the Mangalore Assembly constituency K. Selvam, who has resigned from the Assembly to join the BSP and former IAS officer Sivakami were also present.

Mr. Selvam has been appointed the president of the party in Tamil Nadu.

Speakers at the meeting including Ms. Mayawati stressed the need to coordinate with the upper castes to replicate the Uttar Pradesh model in Tamil Nadu.

BSP’s general secretary Sathish Sharma Mishra requested the partymen not to get carried away by the campaign that the BSP was against the interest of the upper castes. He said his rise as the Advocate-General of the U.P. and subsequently as the leader of the Rajya Sabha had proved the critics wrong.

Ms. Mayawati released Rs 3 lakh for the family of the party cadre who was killed in a road accident while he was on his way to attend the conference. She also announced Rs 50,000 each to the injured. Another party worker Adhavan who was injured in a clash was given Rs 2 lakh.

She said the BSP was not in the habit of collecting donations from corporate houses, but depended entirely on the contributions from the common people.

Renowned drummer Sivamani gave a performance at the end of the meeting. A song from MGR-starrer “Idhayakani” adapted in Hindi was rendered in praise of Ms Mayawati.