BSP leader Mayawati Kumari

A supporter flaunts a BSP flag at Mayawati's election rally at Ramlila Ground, New Delhi Photograph: The India Today Group/Getty Images

Supporters of Mayawati take part in a political rally in Nuh Photograph: Pedro Ugarte/AFP/Getty Images

Mayawati accompanied by national security guards as she makes her way to attend Ambedkar Jayanti in Hazratganj in Lucknow Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Supporters of Mayawati listen to her speech during a political rally in Palwal Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

Mayawati makes a point while addressing an election rally at Ramlila Ground, New Delhi Photograph: The India Today Group/Getty Images

People watch a helicopter carrying Mayawati land near the venue of an election campaign rally in Varanasi Photograph: Pawan Kumar/Reuters

Shraavan Prajapati, official sculptor of BSP leader Mayawati, poses in front of her statue in Ambedkar Memorial Park in Lucknow Photograph: Sipa Press/Rex Features

Masons working at Ambedkar Memorial Park in Lucknow - the rows of stone elephants were erected on the orders of Mayawati Photograph: Sipa Press/Rex Features

Mayawati greets supporters on her arrival at an election rally at Shaheed Minar (Martyrs Column) in Kolkata Photograph: Deshakalyan Chowdhury/AFP

Bahujan Samaj Party workers hold a sari dress with their party symbol on it at a public rally in Bhopal Photograph: Sanjeev Gupta/EPA

Bahujan Samaj Party supporters campaigning in Kolkata Photograph: Piyal Adhikary/EPA

Supporters listen to the speech during an election rally in New Delhi Photograph: Prakash Singh/AFP/Getty Images

Mayawati's statue in Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow Photograph: Sipa Press/Rex Features

Mayawati displays her voters identity card and the indelible ink mark on her finger after casting her vote in Lucknow Photograph: Ajay Kumar Singh/AP