Asked what had led them to look up to the Congress, Sri Krishna, a local orchard labourer, said: 'We have had enough of both SP and BSP; their leaders have been only doing lip service. We are hopeful that the Congress will not be like them and will do something for our good.'

Similar views were expressed by Brij Lal, Munni Lal and Pyare Lal, who had all come from different villages in the neighbourhood to express their support for the Congress.

Barabanki MP, Punia - a retired Dalit Indian Administrative Service officer, who had held the key position of principal secretary to chief minister during three of Mayawati's four stints - hit out at the BSP supremo.

'Clearly, Mayawati has no concern for the poor and needy. She has only statues and memorials on her list of priorities,' he said.

'No one puts up his own statues. And those who do are those who know that no one would want to remember them, so they insist on doing so during their own lifetime,' said Punia amidst cheers.

Flaying Mayawati for letting loose BSP goons to ransack and torch her house, Congress state chief Joshi said: 'Let Malihabad sound the death knell of BSP in this state.'