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Rediff.com  » News » Maya gets her own statue removed

Maya gets her own statue removed

By Sharat Pradhan in Lucknow
June 02, 2008 08:43 IST
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As if demolition and re-construction of her favourite structures were not enough, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati got her own statue removed from a prominent spot in Lucknow, where she herself had unveiled the same 45 days ago.

The operation, that took everyone by surprise, was carried out on Sunday night in the cover of darkness, with lights in the vicinity being switched off.

But wait, before you draw conclusions on why she did it. If sources are to be believed, the impressive bronze statue will be soon replaced by an imposing one shortly as an art of her fad for statues.

Installed nearby an equally impressive bronze statue of her political mentor Kanshi Ram, the statues were put up together with those of Ambedkar and his wife Rama Bai.

All these were unveiled simultaneously by Mayawati virtually at the threshold of the Rs. 500-crore  Ambedkar Park and Memorial in Lucknow on April 14 last - Ambedkar's birth anniversary.

It is said that Mayawati was not impressed with the finesse of the statue. She was also understood to have expressed her displeasure over the fact that her statue was shorter than that of Kanshi Ram. She preferred the same height for both.

However, Mayawati  felt the need for certain alterations on her statue, following which the sculptor was summoned. As it was not possible for the alterations  to be carried out on that statue, it was removed for replacement by a better and taller one.


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Sharat Pradhan in Lucknow