BSP eyes votes from city

It may be fighting a crucial battle in Uttar Pradesh, but that has not stopped Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) from jumping into the fray for control of one of India's richest and most powerful civic bodies. The BSP, which will contest from 140 of the 227 wards on its own, released its manifesto on Tuesday with a clear plan to woo slumdwellers.

It may be fighting a crucial battle in Uttar Pradesh, but that has not stopped Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) from jumping into the fray for control of one of India's richest and most powerful civic bodies. The BSP, which will contest from 140 of the 227 wards on its own, released its manifesto on Tuesday with a clear plan to woo slumdwellers.

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Disclosing the party manifesto, state party chief Vilas Garud said: "We will demand that the state government regularise slums up to 2010 and give 500 sq ft free homes to slumdwellers," said Garud. Currently, the BSP has one corporator in the city - Parubai Katke from Dharavi. Garud said the BSP is expecting to increase its tally to 9.