Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ramvilas Paswan on Tuesday said Mayawati’s charge against the Congress that some of its leaders were conspiring to eliminate her was “fictitious”.

“She has said so to divert the attention of the people from the ignominious defeat of her party in the Assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh and in the Ballia bypoll. How could a Chief Minister who is not able to protect her own life ensure the security and safety of the people of the state?” Paswan said in a press release.