UPA toes NDA line in harassing me: Maya

Escalating her war of words against the Congress, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Wednesday accused the party-led government at the Centre of contemplating to reopen cases against her in a bid to bring pressure on her.

"The Congress-led government at the Centre is imitating its predecessor NDA regime which had falsely implicated me in the Taj Corridor case and got registered a disproportionate assets case against me."

"Despite my having got relief from the Income Tax authorities, the UPA government is contemplating reopening these cases and I am receiving threats of being dumped in jail," Mayawati said addressing a BSP rally which she declared as the launch of her party's campaign for Lok Sabha elections due next year.

She dared the UPA government to have her arrested, saying "they are using the media to spread all sorts of disinformation to tarnish my image. If they succeed in their dirty design and I am arrested, BSP's political fortunes would soar and not plunge."

Apprehending threat to her life from elements inimical to BSP due to its "growing popularity", Mayawati said the Centre had not accepted her demand for Special Protection Group (SPG) cover.

"If I am killed, do not forgive the Congress-led dispensation in Delhi and take revenge. The loss must be avenged with principal and interest," she said.