Mayawati justifies 'will of people' in huge statues across UP

BSP supremo Mayawati Tuesday defended in the Supreme Court the construction of life-size statues of herself in Uttar Pradesh, saying they represent the "will of the people". The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister, in an affidavit filed in the apex court, said the memorials and statues of herself and other leaders are "intended to promote values and ideals of various sants, gurus, social reformers and leaders among the public and not intended to promote the symbol of BSP or to glorify" her.

Mayawati said in her affidavit that her statues came into being "as the will of the state legislature to represent the will of the people". She said funds for construction of the memorial and installation of statues were sanctioned through budgetary allocations after approval of the budget by the state legislature.

Mayawati also sought the dismissal of a plea, which alleged that public funds were misused in the construction of memorials and statues, saying it is politically motivated and gross abuse of process of the court of law.