Addressing the national convention of the party, Mayawati said: “Meri izzat samajhkar chunav ladenge. Mera sir neecha nahin hone denge (You will work for my prestige. You won’t let me down).”

While there might be grievances over selection of candidates, the BSP chief said, “You will forget these for my prestige, you would ensure votes not for the candidates, but for your Behenji.”

The convention, held at the BSP office here, was called to discuss the party’s preparations for the Lok Sabha elections. State unit heads from across the country, MPs, MLAs, candidates for the Lok Sabha elections, zonal co-ordinators, president of Assembly units and senior leaders were present.

Mayawati started her speech with the defeat in Bhadohi, claiming she was unaware of the happenings there. She lashed out at the five ministers who had been camping in the reserved constituency for almost a month.

“After I reprimanded them, Naseemuddin Siddiqui, Indrajit Saroj —both ministers — and Tribuwan Dutt, zonal co-ordinator, told me the real story,” she said. “Inhone socha hum to Behanji se bade ban gaye.”

Two other ministers — Rangnath Mishra and Rakesh Dhar Tripathi — both of whom are eyeing the Bhadohi seat for the next Assembly elections, “fought with each other instead of ensuring Brahmin votes for the party”, she admitted.

Mayawati added that she was also kept in the dark that late BSP MLA Archana Saroj’s father was working against the party as he wanted the ticket for his son.

She urged partymen to put in their best efforts to ensure a BSP government at the Centre and cautioned them that small caste- and religion-based parties might become active just to damage the party.