Feature: ‘I am hopeful about Mayawati’

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Lucknow, January 21:: high priestly Brahmin caste. The first politician to finger-feed her on her birthday was a senior Brahmin politician -- a symbol for supporters of that caste revolution.

The symbolism can have a huge impact only a few miles away, where many landless Dalits live with no power or running water.

"I'm hopeful about Mayawati but let's see," said Mithilesh, a villager leader outside Lucknow. Villagers, who make just about $2 a day as labourers to make ends meet, stood around her.

With a population of about 170 million, Dalits number about Brazil's population and they can be a huge political force -- if united.

But in Uttar Pradesh, most rulers end their rule embroiled in sleaze and scandal.