Daijiworld Media Network
New Delhi, Sep 5: According to leaked US diplomatic cables, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati made a state minister do sit-ups in front of her as punishment for a minor protocol error.
Another cable read, “When she needed new sandals, her private jet flew empty to Mumbai to retrieve her preferred brand," a cable dated October 23, 2008 reported, adding she employed food tasters to guard against poisoning.
Mayawati has been described as "a first-rate egomaniac" who is "obsessed with becoming prime minister".
They also said that she celebrates her birthday every year by receiving millions of dollars in gifts from "sycophantic party members, civil servants and business people" while officials vie for a chance to feed her cake.
It is learnt that she constructed a private road from her residence to her office, which is cleaned immediately after her multiple vehicle convoy reaches its destination.
The UP chief minister has been often criticised for her extravagance, erecting huge statues of herself in public parks and being greeted at rallies with garlands made out of 1,000-rupee bank notes.
So far, Mayawati has not responded to the allegations made in the cables.