Finally breaking her silence on the controversy over covering of her statues and that of elephants in dalit memorials on the order of the Election Commission (EC), UP chief minister Mayawati on Sunday devoted much of her birthday speech to hit out at EC officials.

She said that EC's decision to cover statutes in dalit memorial built by her government was one-sided and unfair. Unlike the grand celebrations on her birthdays in previous years, this time the event was a low-key affair because of election code of conduct. However, Mayawati used the opportunity to launch her election campaign by declaring the list of candidates for the elections to be held in February.

Mayawati said that the elephants in dalit memorial are in welcome posture with their trunk upside while BSP's symbol is elephant with trunk down. The Commission deemed the elephants in the memorial to be BSP's symbol on the complaint of opposition parties without giving her party a chance to put its defence. She also said, when BSP lodged official protest with the EC, the latter has struck back by issuing a notice to the party with a threat to freeze BSP's symbol. She said that this reflects anti-dalit mindset of not only opposition parties, Central government but also of the people in the EC.

Regarding installation of her statues in dalit memorials, Mayawati said that it is as per the will of BSP founder late Kanshiram. "Mananiya Kanshiram ji wanted my statue on his side to be installed in dalit memorial," she said. Covering of statues and anti-dalit attitude of the opposition parties and the EC has filled dalits with anger in the state and they will give a befitting reply to everyone in the coming assembly elections.

However, with sarcasm Mayawati also said that the controversy generated by the EC's order on covering her statues and that of elephants in the dalit memorials has given huge publicity to her and her party's symbol. "We got publicity worth crores of rupees free of cost," she said. In a similar vein she thanked media of fanning the controversy. However, at a serious note, she said that EC should also clarify its stand on the park built on thousands of acres of land in Chandigarh, capital of Punjab, where Congress government has installed a huge memorial in the form of a 'revolving 45 feet tall hand weighing 50 tonne'. Congress' symbol is hand and Punjab is also going to poll, hence EC should also cover the hand installed in the part, she said.

"Also, the posture of the hand of many Hindu gods and goddesses is also similar to Congress's symbol. Many idols of Hindu gods and goddess have been installed in temples built by government and non-government organisations on government and non-government land," she said. "Similarly, lotus flower (BJP's symbol) is widely used by Hindus for worship. The flower is also used in poojas held at the inaugural ceremonies of many government programmes, hence EC should also clear its stand on the issue. Further, the election symbol of RLD is hand pump which has been installed all over the state with public money," she said.

Mayawati said that she has given tickets to clean candidates this time.