Mayawati plans a grand appearence

A grand stage has been set up for the first appearence of BSP supremo Mayawati after her defeat in the UP elections. A mass marriage, gathering of thousand of people and a total coverage area of nothing less than 10 kms, are all the main features of her appearence. And the occassion is 121st birth anniversary celebrations of Bhimrao R. Ambedkar.

Her appearence would take place at the newly created Bheem Nagri in Dhanuali, 10 kms from Delhi on Sunday. It will be an ambitious programme that will also account for Mayawati's attempt to win over dalit vote bank. 

Geetam Singh, a BSP activist said, "Everyone is waiting to hear Mayawati, what she will say and if she will spell out the party line for future action programmes."

The meeting will be preceded by an Ambedkar Jayanti procession with brass bands, tableaux depicting life and message of the dalit messiah, who is the chief architect of the constitution of India, a glittering march of horses and maybe even elephants if the forest department permits.

The procession will meander its way through the main streets of Agra on Saturday evening and end up at Bheem Nagri on Sunday afternoon.

More than 400 buses will ferry people to the venue. The backdrop of the massive stage will be a 80 x 40 feet replica of parliament. Opposite to that will be a replica of the India Gate. Arrangements have been made to seat 10,000 people. 

Besides, a huge 'baraat' of 101 bridegrooms will reach the venue where a mass marriage has been arranged according to Buddhist rituals. 

Mayawati is coming for the fourth time to participate in this programme. 

Political observers say she will use the platform to mobilise her vote bank and the rank and file of the party with an eye on the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. 

"She is set on parliament and that is why the backdrop shows the Sansad Bhavan in glorious splendour. The dalits have to ensure now that she rides to power in New Delhi," commented a BSP worker, Arvind Pushkar.