"In his will, Kanshiramji stated that as 'Mayawati is my true follower, her statues shall also be installed'," the Chief minister said, addressing a huge gathering at Ambedkar Park in Lucknow on the occasion of the 117th birth anniversary of Dalit icon Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar.

"Following Kanshiramji's will, my statues have been installed next to those of him at Bahujan Prerna Kendra in Lucknow and New Delhi, where his ashes are kept," Mayawati said, while asking party workers to keep her ashes after her death alongwith those of the party founder.

Quoting Kanshiram, Mayawati said memorials and statues of a person should be installed while he or she is alive. "That's why my statues have been installed in Lucknow and New Delhi," she said.

Thousands gathered at the park strewn with flowers and blue flags to celebrate Ambedkar's birth anniversary.