Changed scenario forces Maya to oppose UPCOCA

LUCKNOW: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Wednesday demanded withdrawal of Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Bill (UPCOCA) tabled in the legislative assembly.

Terming UPCOCA draconian that can be misused to suppress the Dalits and religious minorities, Mayawati said the BJP would use the law for settling political rivalry as well.

A decade back in 2007 after grabbing power, the BSP government had decided to bring UPCOCA to check organized crime unleashed by gangsters and mafias active in the state. In March 2008, as the then chief minister Mayawati had tabled UPCOCA in the legislative assembly.

Political observers feel the changed political scenario has forced Mayawati to oppose the law. In 2008 the BSP government had sent UPCOCA to centre for Presidential nod, but the then Congress led UPA government had opposed the Act fearing that it might be misused against the minority community. And due to shift in Muslim and upper caste votes, the BSP lost power in 2012 assebly elections.

The BSP grabbed two mayor post and performed well in the Nagar Palika Parishad and Nagar Panchayat elections recently. The party grabbed majority of the seats in the Muslim and dalit dominated areas. So, by opposing UPCOCA Mayawati wishes to consolidate the gain made by the BSP, feel observers.

IN 2008, THE BSP GOVERNMENT HAD SENT UPCOCA TO CENTRE FOR PRESIDENTIAL NOD, BUT THE THEN CONGRESS LED UPA GOVERNMENT HAD OPPOSED THE ACT FEARING THAT IT MIGHT BE MISUSED