Mayawati (File photo/PTI)
NEW DELHI: Several Dalit leaders of the Congress attempted to meet Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati at her Lucknow residence on Wednesday, prompting the grand old party to issue show-cause notices to them seeking an explanation for their “unauthorised” act.The leaders were turned away at the gate as they had not sought an appointment to meet the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister, who belongs to the Dalit community.Congress Scheduled Caste Department national chairman Rajendra Pal Gautam and the department’s Uttar Pradesh president and MP Tanuj Punia, who were among those who went to Mayawati’s residence, described the visit as an “impromptu courtesy visit” with “no political overtones.”Congress’s Uttar Pradesh in-charge Avinash Pande told PTI that the party had taken note of the visit.“This was not an authorised delegation from the party. We have taken cognisance of the matter and issued show-cause notices. While we hold her in high esteem, those who attempted to meet her did so in their personal capacity,” Pande said.Meanwhile, state Congress president Ajay Rai maintained that the party had not given any permission for any such meeting. “Such programmes are pre-decided and cleared by top leadership well in advance,” Rai stated.‘Not true’: Cong MP Punia denies reports Dalit leaders wanted to convey Rahul Gandhi’s messagePunia denied reports claiming that the Dalit leaders had approached Mayawati to convey a message from Rahul Gandhi.“That’s not correct…A meeting of the party’s SC wing under Rajendra Pal Ji was held in Lucknow on Tuesday evening. Since our party office is close to the BSP chief’s residence, after the meeting, as we drove past Mayawati Ji’s residence, we thought of making an impromptu courtesy call on her, more so as she also hails from the same community as ours and is a senior leader,” Punia told PTI.BSP spokesperson Vishwanath Pal said he had no knowledge of the visit. “I don’t know who went to see Behen Ji. I am not aware of any such visit,” he said, referring to Mayawati.Unmindful of the controversy, Gautam maintained that the visit was “well intentioned” and that it had no political overtones, adding that it was meant to check on the BSP leader’s health.“It could be a juicy gossip for the media, but as for me, I have known Mayawati’s relatives for long. Her brother is well known to me and we frequently meet. That is why, after our Lucknow meeting, as we passed through her residence, we decided to check if she was available for the meeting,” Gautam said.When asked whether a formal appointment should have been taken, he replied it was not considered necessary since he was familiar with her family.
