Lucknow: A marble statue of Mayawati, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has been destroyed in Lucknow. The head and hands of the statue, nearly four feet high, have been chopped off.

The area is tense and many policemen have been deputed to ensure the situation does not erupt into violence. Mayawati, who heads the BSP, has appealed to her party workers not to retaliate in any way.

Pamphlets left behind at the statue refer to a group called the UP Navnirman Sena. The statue was placed outside the Ambedkar Memorial constructed by Mayawati as a tribute to Dalit leaders including her mentor, Kanshi Ram.

This was one of many statues of herself commissioned by Mayawati during her term in office. Her statues always came with the large purse that she is seen with in real life. The vandals, who ruined the statue today, have also removed her purse.