Kanshi Ram didn't die naturally: UP minister targets Mayawati

Dharmesh referred to allegations by Kanshi Ram's sister, who said Mayawati killed him

Kanshi Ram Mayawati Pawan Kumar (File) Kanshi Ram with Mayawati in 2003 | Pawan Kumar

A newly appointed minister in the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday declared he would ask the chief minister to seek a CBI probe into the death of BSP founder Kanshi Ram. Kanshi Ram died at the age of 72 in 2006.

Speaking to mediapersons in Agra, Giriraj Singh Dharmesh alleged Kanshi Ram “didn't die naturally”. Dharmesh was quoted by ANI as saying, “He died in suspicious circumstances, he was being treated under Mayawati's watch. Kanshi Ram's sister is saying Mayawati murdered him, I'll appeal to the CM to get it investigated by CBI.”

Dharmesh alleged Mayawati was a “naked live wire”, claiming, “whosoever touches her will die”.

Labelling Mayawati as “untrustworthy”, Dharmesh claimed she had betrayed “everyone”. He referred to the BSP's short-lived alliance with the SP for the Lok Sabha polls that helped Mayawati's party increase its Lok Sabha strength to 10 seats. Dharmesh claimed Mayawati had “used the Samajwadi Party” and then ditched it.

Dharmesh also claimed Bhram Dutt Dwivedi, a late BJP leader, had “saved” Mayawati's life in the infamous guest house incident in Lucknow in 1995. Then Samajwadi Party activists tried to attack Mayawati after she announced the withdrawal of support to a coalition government with the SP.

Dharmesh, who represents the Agra Cantonment seat, was sworn in as a minister in the Yogi Adityanath government on August 21. He is the minister of state for social welfare and SC/ST welfare.

Dharmesh's reference to Kanshi Ram's sister raising allegations against Mayawati appears to be in reference to comments by Swarn Kaur, Kanshi Ram's sister. In 2015, Swarn Kaur alleged Mayawati had “murdered Kanshi Ram”. Kaur had then demanded Mayawati step down as BSP chief, accusing her of running a “dictatorial regime” in the party.

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