Lucknow:  In view of upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today launched 158 development projects worth over Rs 3,000 crore during a function at her residence here.

Addressing a gathering on the second death anniversary of Bahujan Samaj Party founder Kanshi Ram, Mayawati said "He (Kanshi Ram) fought for poor and downtrodden in UP ...and due to his attempts I could become the chief minister for the fourth time here."

Hitting out at both the previous government at centre and in the state, Mayawati said that those governments did not declare Kanshi Ram's death anniversary as a national or state holiday.

"Even against the feeling of crores of people that Bharat Ratna should be conferred on late Kanshi Ram, the central government did not pay any heed to it," she claimed.

Mayawati also released volume three of her book "A Travelogue of my struggle-ridden life and BSP movement".

The Hindi version of the book was released on Jan 15, this year.
Source : PTI