Purshottam, a 32-year-old from Kanpur, while sipping his tea and reading the morning newspaper, is uncomfortable with the fact that Ansari has now joined the BSP. Purshottam runs a small hosiery shop. Mayawati's tough stance against crime had made behenji very popular in the state. But Qaumi Ekta Dal joining hands with the BSP has made Purshottam very upset.
“If this happens, who do we vote for? Even Mayawati has joined hands with the goons,” he says.
Mayawati had come to power with the support of the Dalit community and middle class voters. Such was her image that all the robbers, kidnappers and criminals lay low under her government. Corrupt officials were scared simply at the mention of the CM’s name. The front pages of the newspapers were filled with news about Mayawati’s surprise visits to government offices.