Lucknow: In an apparent attempt to re-build her party's image, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Sunday blamed the opposition for "infiltrating" criminals into the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Having already taken a decision to expel as many as 500 activists on account of their criminal antecedents, Mayawati told a press conference here Sunday morning that more expulsions would follow on the same lines.

"We are preparing a list of people with criminal backgrounds who have managed to seek entry into our party. We will soon show them the door," said Mayawati, while claiming that she had been ignorant about their anti-social activities.

"It was during the preparation for our party rally on March 15 that I came to know that a number of people with criminal past had infiltrated into the BSP," she said adding: "I have reason to believe that it was the handiwork of some opposition parties with the sole intent of sullying the image our party."

She said: "I promptly ordered identification of such persons and took the decision to rid the party of such elements, as the BSP has no room for criminals."

However, she declined to disclose the list of such identified people. She also parried queries whether the list would include prominent leaders of the party, who were holding key positions including that of minister.

"I cannot give you the list of names as of now, but let me assure you that none with criminal background would be spared at any cost," she asserted.

On April 16, Mayawati had announced the expulsion of dreaded mafia don Mukhtar Ansari, who she had fielded as party nominee for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat during the last general election, which he lost. Along with him, she also expelled Ansari's elder brother Afzal Ansari, a former Lok Sabha member, as well as cousin Sibtain Ullah Ansari, a MLA, who had switched loyalties from the Samajwadi Party.

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