The idea is to take the sting out of the Opposition attack in view of the coming Lok Sabha polls, especially since accused Shekhar Tiwari is a legislator and a district BSP president. And the alleged motive, nothing less than refusal to pay money for Mayawati’s birthday celebrations.

The investigation is to be wrapped up by mid-January — well in time for the chief minister’s birthday — with a watertight case that should result in a conviction.

Director General of Police Vikram Singh is monitoring the progress of the case every day. Inspector General (Kanpur zone) Bhanu Pratap Singh confirmed that investigations should be over by January 15 and the police will seek transfer of the case to a fast-track court. “Right from Day One, we focussed on completing the investigation in a record time,” he added.

Sources in the BSP added that the case is the biggest challenge the chief minister faced since government formation.

With Mayawati trying to position herself as a prime ministerial candidate, the case beats hollow her claims of Uttar Pradesh being a model of the good governance.

The BSP chief wants the handling of the case to signal that she has “the ability and the will to deal with criminalisation of politics and ensure good governance,” said a source in the party.

Also, a show of firmness against her own partymen will send out the message that she means business.

Parallely, efforts are on to win the confidence of Gupta’s family. The party fears that if unhappy with the probe, the family might want a CBI probe which in turn, may open a Pandora’s box.

Gupta’s son Prateesh Pranjal said: “The DGP has reassured that the probe would be impartial.”