Thursday, May 19 2005 08:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: After threatening to withdraw outside support to the Manmohan Singh Government, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati yesterday (May 18, 2005) accused the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) of "failing on all fronts" in protecting the interest of Dalits during its one year in power.

"We have come to the conclusion that during its one year in office, the UPA Government has failed on all fronts to protect the interest of Dalits," she told NDTV in an interview.

The BSP supremo said ahead of the UPA Government completing its first year in office on Sunday (May 22, 2005), her party reviewed the performance of the UPA, particularly the extent of protection it had given to Dalits, at a recent National Executive meeting of the party where State unit chiefs also gave their opinion.

After the CBI questioned her in a disproportionate assets case, Mayawati has threatened to withdraw outside support to the UPA Government.

BSP MPs had raised the matter forcefully in the just-concluded session of Parliament accusing CBI of adopting "double standards" and harassing her because she is a Dalit.