Wednesday, May 11 2005 17:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today (May 11, 2005) charged CBI with discriminating against her in the Taj heritage corridor case, saying the investigating agency wanted to tarnish her image before Dalits.

"While only one FIR was lodged against others framed in the Taj heritage corridor case, an additional case of disproportionate assets was slapped against me without much ground," Mayawati told reporters in Lucknow.

The BSP supremo alleged that the premier investigating agency had become a "Manuwadi" agency and was working on "twin parameters" in the case.

"It is unfortunate that after 57 years of independence, the Dalit and exploited section of the society was still a victim of caste prejudice and if this is the situation facing a three-time Chief Minister, what would be the condition of a commmon man?" she observed.

Raising questions about the working of CBI, Mayawati said, "Even before any proceeding or questioning takes place, the media gets to know about it, which is deplorable."