Lucknow: In the age of new-found austerity, politicians across the country are doing everything up their sleeves to ensure that they are seen as no less humble than AAP leaders; not BSP president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati.
Known for her penchant for extravagance and glitz, her fall from grace in Uttar Pradesh has seemingly not dimmed her tastes. And so, as her party gears up for a massive show of strength in Lucknow Jan 15, BSP organisers have been told to open up their purses to make the event a do to remember.
The rally, her first since she lost power 2012 to the Samajwadi Party, is being "organised in such a manner that the base vote bank of the party is reassured that Behenji is still in command", a BSP source said.
A senior party functionary told IANS that while the city will be plastered with hoardings, banners and posters of the rally to be held at the Ramabai Ambedkar Sthal in Aashiana, thousands of square feet will have a tent to ensure that visitors are not hit by the vagaries of nature.