Land acquisition has emerged as one of the most important poll issues in Uttar Pradesh. The fire started from Bhatta Parsaul village near Delhi, where the police opened fire of farmers protesting against forceful acquisition of their land.

The flames soon spread to other parts of the state much to the chagrin of the state government led by Mayawati.

The whole issue acquired political credence after Congress Rahul Gandhi took up the issue as part of his ‘Mission UP’.

The state government may have tried to extinguish the fire but considering the continuing problems being faced in acquiring land for development projects, especially after courts took the hardline on the issue, Mayawati may have a lot of explanation to do.