Thiruvananthapuram: A Phoolan Devi should emerge from each home, and only then can exploitation of dalits and women be curbed, feels bandit queen-turned politician Phoolan Devi.

"What can a single Phoolan do to curb the exploitation? '' she asked while taking part in a meet-the-press programme here on Monday.

However, she affirmed that she was not going to take gun and grenade again to fight upper class exploitation. "I have people's power with me and don't want the 'hatiyar' (weapons) back in my hands now,'' the Samajwadi Party MP said.

Recalling her days as a dacoit, Phoolan Devi said she was not educated enough then to fight in a civilized manner and the police too did not heed her pleas.

Asked what her priorities would be if she were made the chief minister, the fiery leader said: "I will wipe out the land mafia, 'goonda raj' and those thugs in safed (white) kurta.''

She said she was still in touch with the dacoit groups in the Chambal and could manage to persuade many to surrender before the law.

Referring to the Women's Reservation Bill, Phoolan Devi said her party would not allow the Bill to be passed unless 50 per cent reservation was ensured to women, based on caste, not only in the legislature but in other services too.

Coming down heavily on the BJP, she alleged that she did not find any difference between the Congress and the BJP as both were equally involved in atrocities against the weaker sections.

Lauding the efforts of Kerala in development and literacy, she claimed that in other states, the rulers did not want the people to be literate, as they were afraid of the common man coming to learn about their mischiefs.

UNI