Mayawati slammed for multi-crore garland

New Delhi: Bhaujan Samaj Party's 25th foundation day celebrations and allegations of massive spending by the Mayawati government during the rally in Lucknow on Monday rocked Parliament on Tuesday.

Political parties led by the Samajwadi Party and the Congress have been alleging that the Uttar Pradesh government mobilised the state machinery and spent nearly Rs 200 Crore on the celebrations.

Demand for an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation into BSP's foundation day celebrations have also risen even as Mayawati has ordered her own probe into the swarm of bees that was seen hovering around the dais while she was addressing the rally at Lucknow's Ramabai Ambedkar ground.

Many political leaders also criticised Mayawati for the multi-crore garland that was gifted to her by her supporters during the rally. The garland was made up of hundreds of Rs 1000 note.

"Using currency notes as garland is not done. There should be a law so that people do not do such things in future," said Janata Dal (United) President Sharad Yadav.

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, BJP and Congress also condemned Mayawati for accepting the garland.

However, BSP MP Vijay Bahadur said that garland was an expression of love of the people.

"It is the faith of the people and that they want to gift garland made of Rs 1000 notes for their leader," said Bahadur.

Estimates on the garland, which was so heavy that six party workers had to hold it up to present it to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, range from Rs 2 to 5 crore.

Some reports say it was a gift from the party's Karnataka unit while others claim it was the Lucknow unit.

The BSP has been claiming that the garland was made up of flowers and not Rs 1000 notes.

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