New Delhi, Apr 17: Unfazed by the criticism over filing a spate of cases against Mulayam Singh Yadav, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today rejected the charge that it was a political vendetta saying he had "violated" norms while disbursing money from chief minister`s discretionary funds. "Whatever we have done is not out of political vengeance, but as per rules. When Yadav was chief minister before April 7, 1994, then he had violated norms and rules while disbursing money from the discretionary funds", she told reporters. Accusing the Samajwadi Party of attempting to confuse the issue, she said that separate FIRs were being filed against the beneficiaries of the money who had put it to improper use. Singling out senior BJP leader and former UP chief minister Rajnath Singh for attack for his criticism of her actions, Mayawati said his statements on the issue appeared to be his "personal views" and not that of his party. Asked about BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan`s reported criticism of her actions, she said that though she had not seen the comments of Mahajan, the same could have been made for lack of proper information on the issue.

Replying to queries, she dismissed suggestions that her actions would strain relationships with the BJP.

She ridiculed apprehensions expressed by Yadav that she would detain him under Pota saying that she would not do any such thing against the SP leader or his supporters.

In a counterattack on those who have criticised her actions, Mayawati sought to know as to why they were silent when the Kalyan Singh government had registered an FIR against her in 1997 for alleged irregularities in the float pump purchase.

She said the case was filed against her then though she had not allowed any hike in the price of the pumps on the purchase price earlier decided by Governor Motilal Vora during President`s rule.

"When action is taken against the daughter of Dalit, no one speaks up. Is it not `manuvad` (caste discrimination)? " she asked.

In an apparent attack against Rajnath Singh, she said that those who were now raising fingers against her, should introspect on what they had done earlier.

Replying to questions, she said that Kalyan Singh, Rajnath Singh and Ram Prakash Gupta, who were chief ministers during the BJP rule earlier, had not violated norms like Yadav while disbursing discretionary funds.

She brushed aside demands that the probe into the alleged fake CDs against her be entrusted to the CBI. She said the state police were "quite competent" to inquire into the matter.

Having a dig at the SP, she said that since that party was rapidly losing popular support, they are indulging in the manufacture of fake CDs.

She said she has ordered an inquiry into the misuse of discretionary funds by former Governor and Congress leader Motilal Vora as he had used money from the discretionary funds of the chief minister. These funds are different from those of the Governor.

Bureau Report