There was no contribution of the Nehru-Gandhi family in giving rights to Dalits and backward classes, Uttar Pradesh [ Images ] Chief Minister Mayawati [ Images ] alleged on Monday.

"Whatever rights Dalits and backwards had is due to Bhim Rao Ambedkar and there is no contribution of the Nehru-Gandhi family," Mayawati said while addressing a gathering after inaugurating the 'Bhim Rao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal' in Lucknow [ Images ].

Alleging that 'Congress and company' had conspired against Ambedkar so that he could not become a member of the Constituent Assembly, Mayawati said that during partition, the Congress had ceded a particular area in West Bengal [ Images ], represented by Ambedkar, to Pakistan so that he could not become a member.

The area had 42 per cent Muslim population and 58 per cent Hindu population, but was given to Pakistan only to prevent Ambedkar from becoming a member of the Constituent Assembly, she claimed. Mayawati also asked Bahujan Samaj Party workers to beware of 'Congress and Company'.

The Chief Minister alleged that after Ambedkar went to England [ Images ] and met leaders of the government, they put a condition before the Congress leadership that India [ Images ] would be given freedom if Amedkar did not become as member of Constituent Assembly.

Later, Ambedkar was elected from Pune and became a member of the Constituent Assembly in July 9, 1947, she said.

Taking potshots at the Bharatiya Janata Party [ Images ], Mayawati said it was due to Ambedkar that the Indian Constitution was secular and not based on Hindutva ideology propagated by the BJP.