Mayawati justifies installation of her statues in UP, says 'it was people's will'

Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati on Tuesday justified installations of her statues in Uttar Pradesh at the expense of crores of rupees saying "It was the will of the people".

Mayawati in an affidavit filed before the apex court in compliance with the last order asking her to reimburse the money justified her action. 

She had spent crores on the installation of statutes of herself and party symbol 'elephants' at public places.

A bench presided by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi in February had said, "Pay all the money from your (Mayawati) pocket. Madam Mayawati has to reimburse the public exchequer all the amount spent on statues. This is our tentative view."

A petition was filed in 2009 by advocate Ravi Kant in the matter who had sought the top court's direction to restrain Mayawati from installing her and party symbol statues in public places at the cost of the state exchequer. The petition also demanded a CBI probe into the issue.

The plea also alleged hundreds of crores of public money had been spent to "falsely glorify" Mayawati.

The activity was carried out as a state policy, which was arbitrary and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution, it said, adding that the statues were installed at a cost of Rs 52.20 crore at public places by utilising state funds.

It also sought that the state government should be directed to remove the statues.

(With inputs from agencies)