Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati today (Apr 17, 2004) accused Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav of trying to "shield" senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lalji Tandon after the stampede that left 22 women dead during a sari distribution organised in connection with his birthday violating the model code of conduct.

Welcoming the Election Commission's direction to the State Government to register a case of bribery against Tandon, she said that "a case under section 302 and Anti-Corruption Act should have been filed against him soon after the stampede at the sari distribution function to celebrate his birthday on Monday, but instead Yadav sought to defend him saying such tragedies are normal."

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Mayawati was also critical of Vajpayee, saying he was trying to "save" Tandon. "The Prime Minister should have removed Tandon as his chief election agent immediately after the tragedy and expelled him from the party."

Terming the sari distribution programme as "a clear violation of model code of conduct", she said, "If the function was held with the knowledge of the Prime Minister, he too could be held responsible for it. However, we cannot say for sure that the Prime Minister was aware of the function and hence he should not be held directly responsible for it. But Tandon cannot wash away his hands."

"There is no doubt that the function was organised to bribe Dalit and poor women to gain their votes for the polls," Mayawati said, adding Congress used to adopt similar tactics in the past to lure voters.

Asked about the demand of several political parties to countermand election in Lucknow, she said she had "full confidence" in the Election Commission and whatever decision it takes in the matter would be right.