Amethi, Dec 11: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati today said Priyanka Gandhi's recent visit here, during which she lodged an fir on behalf of a Dalit whose house was allegedly demolished by some upper caste people, was meant to "drive a wedge" between people of the two communities. "During the Congress' 45-years rule, no party leader had ever visited any Dalit village or Dalit's residence," Mayawati said.
"Then for what purpose had the congress leaders visited Punnapur village? Because the Congress believes in divide and rule policy," she said addressing a 'Sadbhavna' rally here.
Priyanka Gandhi had gone to a police station herself on Nov 22 and lodged an fir against five people under SC/ST prevention of atrocities act after a Dalit, Sambhu Nath, complained to her that they had demolished a part of his house after he refused to work for them.
Nath's village, Punnapur, falls in Amethi Lok Sabha constituency from where Priyanka's mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi was elected.
The lodging of the complaint was part of attempts by Sonia Gandhi and other Congress leaders to "drive a wedge" between the two communities who were living in complete harmony under her rule, Mayawati said and warned people to "be alert to these designs".
Mayawati claimed that it was Nath who had himself grabbed land belonging to an upper caste person.
"Acting on a false complaint, Priyanka had gone to the rescue of a Dalit who himself had grabbed the land of an upper caste person," Mayawati said. Bureau Report