Mayawati has been touted as a firebrand Dalit leader. The Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) national president, has, in her political career, attracted praise and criticism in equal measure and continues to do so. After losing the 2012 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls to the rival Samajwadi Party, she resigned from her post as party leader on March 7, 2012. Later that month, she was elected to the Rajya Sabha. Watch the video to know more about your neta.
Quick facts about BSP supremo Mayawati:
- Mayawati was born on January 15, 1956 in New Delhi.
- She studied BA at the Kalindi College, University of Delhi in 1975 and later, obtained her LLB from University of Delhi.
- Mayawati began her political career after Kanshi Ram, the founder of Bahujan Samaj Party, persuaded her to join politics.
- Kanshi Ram named her as his successor on December 15, 2001, while addressing a rally in Lucknow.
- She became the youngest chief minister of Uttar Pradseh, and the first woman Dalit chief minister in India.
- Mayawati served as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for four distinct terms.
- She commissioned the display of murals of Dalit leaders, including herself -- a move that invited controversies and PILs.
- She said the past governments had not done enough to show respect towards them.
- Mayawati's rise from humble beginnings has been termed as a 'miracle of democracy' by former prime minister PV Narasimha Rao.
- She is considered an icon among the Dalits and is popularly hailed as 'Behenji' or sister.
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