Poll Panel Decides In Principle To Drape Statues of CM & Her Party Mascot, The Elephant
Lucknow: The Election Commission of India has in principle decided to have all statues of Mayawati and that of her party symbol, the elephant, covered ahead of the polls in the state. The announcement could be made on Saturday.
Mayawati is the only leader in the country who ordered her own statues to be built, and they tower beside those of Gautam Buddha and B R Ambedkar in the many concrete parks constructed during her five-year rule to commemorate dalit icons. BSP had claimed the statues were built to honour the wish of Maya’s mentor, Kanshi Ram.
The decision to drape the statues was taken at a meeting Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi held with senior officials of the Chief Electoral Office in UP. The CEC also held a review meet on poll-preparedness with DMs and senior police officers of districts going to polls in the first four phases. He will hold another round of the meetings with officials of the remaining districts on Saturday.
Several opposition leaders complained to the EC about a week back that the numerous statues — of Maya and her party symbol — would give undue advantage to BSP as they were
clearly promoting her party. In fact, in October 2010, the EC, while dismissing petitions challenging BSP’s use of the elephant as a symbol, had said that at the time of elections, the commission would take appropriate steps to ensure the
statues do not disturb the level
playing field and give undue advantage to BSP.
Once the order is passed, it would have the most visible impact in Lucknow and Noida where most of the statues have been erected. According to a reply to an RTI query, there are nine statues of the dalit leader in different memorials constructed in Lucknow. Her tallest statue, a 24-feet bronze structure, is at the Pratibimb Sthal inside Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan sthal in Gomtinagar. It cost the state exchequer Rs 1.44 crore. The memorial has two more bronze statues of Mayawati: one inside the gallery and one in the main hall.
The statue in the gallery is 18-feet tall and cost Rs 47.25 lakh while the one in main hall is a modest nine feet and cost Rs 23 lakh.
Another statue of Mayawati, around 12 feet tall, is at Bhim Rao Ambedkar Samajik Pariwartan Sthal, Gomti Tatbandh. The bronze statue cost the state Rs 20.25 lakh. This statue was once replaced with another after Mayawati spotted some defects in it.
MAYA MAHIMA
Mayawati unveils own statues in June, 2009
advocate Ravi Kant files complaint in SC, EC saying Maya furthering BSP symbol
EC seeks comments from BSP on possible violation of model code of conduct. BSP told to reply by Aug 12, 2010
SC on July 10, 2010 refuses to restrain UP govt from carrying out work for installation of statues of Mayawati and other dalit leaders at a park in Noida.
BSP claims Maya's statues installed as per "written will" of party founder Kanshi Ram
Oct 11, 2010: EC rejects plea for freezing of BSP symbol.
EC says it’d take steps to see that statues of Mayawati and BSP symbol do not disturb level playing field
Those measures would be subject to directions of the SC or Allahabad HC.
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