LUCKNOW: BSP supremo Mayawati has asked party cadre to keep a special watch over EVMs during elections, accusing BJP of using any means to try and win.

Mayawati, among other Opposition members, has accused BJP of tampering with EVMs to turn election results in its favour. While the charges against the ruling party have not been proved, the issue remains a contentious one.

“Not only is BJP casteist, communal, anti-poor and anti-farmers, it uses every possible means to win elections. The BSP-SP alliance has emerged as a credible alternative in the three states of

, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh and there is a good chance for it to do well in the coming elections. However, there is a need to keep a watch on EVMs,” she said.

Mayawati has specifically told party workers to not do anything that would be a violation of the model code of conduct. The party will be celebrating two events before the start of the elections, the birth anniversary of BSP founder Kanshi Ram on March 15, followed by the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar on April 14. “The events should be celebrated with decency and simplicity. In fact, they should be celebrated at home and nothing should be done on both days which is a violation of the model code of conduct,” Mayawati said.

Addressing a meeting of divisional heads and senior party members in Lucknow on Thursday, Mayawati almost finalised the list of candidates for UP and is expected to announce names in the first phase this week.