Lucknow: Stepping up the offensive to counter tape controversy, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on March 12 said BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) will hold a rally in Lucknow on April 14 targeting Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress for their political "conspiracy" against her for allegedly asking BSP lawmakers to divert a portion of constituency development fund to party fund.

"The doctored video cassette was released with the motive of tarnishing the image of BSP. Both SP and Congress were hand in glove in this conspiracy, Mayawati told reporters.

"To expose the nefarious designs of Congress and SP, the BSP would hold a vishal (massive) 'paradaphaash" (expose) rally on April 14 coinciding with the birthday of dalit leader Bhim Rao Ambedkar, she said, replying to a question. She, however, declined to elaborate as what the party would expose in the rally. "Wait till April 14 to know the truth behind that conspiracy," Mayawati added.

Questioning the timing of the release of the tape by SP, the Chief Minister said cassette was made in February 2001 and the Opposition got at least three opportunities where it could have been used for political gains.

"The video clippings could have been used in Assembly elections held 1n February 2002, or in May 2002 when I became Chief Minister or in February 2003 when by-elections were held in the state," Mayawati said.

Mayawati said the said the video-cassette was not used then, but released just a day before a no-confidence motion was brought against her government.

"The timing of release of tape smacks of political conspiracy in which Congress as well as Samajwadi Party were hand in glove," she said.

Mayawati said the rally would give a message to the dalits and downtrodden of the country to stay away from SP and Congress as both the parties are "anti-dalit".

She said the April 14 rally would not be a government-sponsored event but a party-organised one in which BSP president Kanshi Ram will be the chief guest.

PTI