Thousands gather to listen to Maya's next move

Lucknow - Hundreds and thousands of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) workers and supporters from all over the country tropped into the state capital Tuesday to join the Maha Dalit Sankalp rally at the Rama Bai grounds here.

The entire city has been painted in blue, the party colour and all roads seem to be leading to the rally venue.

While massive security arrangements have been made by the state government to ensure smooth passage of the rally, the party on its own has deployed its manpower at vantage points like the railway stations and bus stands to guide and secure safe movement of the party workers.

Buntings, hoardings, gigantic balloons and posters have covered the roads that lead to the rally venue. Many woman were seen carrying large cutouts and pictures of BSP chief Mayawati.

Ten trains were booked by the party to ferry supporters and were welcomed at the Charbagh railway station.

Special welcome desks have been set up at the railway station to guide the incoming party workers. Supporters of Maywati have come in from Maharashtra, Odisha, Haryana, New Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab.

Besides, all party legislators have been asked to ensure maximum participation from their constituencies.

The state unit is supervising all preparations.

While many had thought that the rally might pale in contrast to her earlier ones when Mayawati was in power, the multitude that has so far turned up in the state capital does not indicate any erosion of her support base.

Inspector General of Police (Law and order) B.P. Singh told IANS that adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure that the rally passes peacefully.

Traffic has also been diverted at many places and many schools have declared a holiday.

The Akhilesh Yadav government cancelled the public holiday Oct 9 which the earlier Mayawati government had announced for the death anniversary of BSP founder Kanshiram.

Mayawati is likely to announce her future relation with the Congress-led UPA government at the rally.