Maya targets SP, praises BJP govt for memorial upkeep
Lucknow, Oct. 10 -- Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati used her party's show of strength in the run-up to the 2027 assembly election to hit out at the Samajwadi Party, praise the BJP government over the upkeep of the Kanshi Ram Memorial in Lucknow, reiterated her party's plans to go solo in the next state assembly polls and projected her nephew Akash Anand as her heir apparent while seeking support for him.
The rally was held to mark the 19th death anniversary of party founder Kanshi Ram as the BSP chief aimed to consolidate her hold on her party's Dalit support base and criticised the PDA (Pichda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) formula of the SP.
Mayawati's anti-SP pitch during the public meeting at the Manyavar Kanshi Ram Smarak Sthal in Lucknow came amid concern over the shift of a section Dalit votes to the INDIA bloc in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
Seeking to chart a revival course, she assured the party supporters that there will be no laxity on her part to bring BSP to power in 2027 in Uttar Pradesh.
In her attack on the SP, she alleged, "The SP government promoted goonda, mafia and anarchic elements."
"When in power, the SP does not remember PDA nor the Dalit icons. When out of power, it remembers our 'gurus' and 'mahapurush'. You all should be cautious of such two-faced people," she further said.
Reacting to the SP holding a seminar to mark Kanshi Ram's death anniversary, the BSP chief said, "I want to ask SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, if he has so much respect for Kanshi Ram, then why he did rechristen the district that was named after the Dalit icon? The BSP government carved out a new district Manyavar Kanshi Ram Nagar. When the SP came to power, it changed the name of the district to Kasganj."
On the other hand, she expressed gratitude towards the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh for maintaining Kanshi Ram Memorial with funds collected from the sale of tickets.
"Earlier due to the lack of maintenance of the memorial, the party supporters could not pay tribute to Kanshi Ram. The maintenance work has been completed. We are grateful to the present state government, unlike the previous Samajwadi Party government it has used the funds collected through the sale of the tickets for the maintenance of the memorial. After a request by the BSP, the BJP government has spent the fund on the renovation of the memorial," she said. "The SP government did not use a single penny on the renovation of the memorial. The condition of the memorial deteriorated," she said.
Mayawati said she sent a letter to the UP chief minister after which the BJP government assured that the fund will not be used on any other projects, but on maintenance of the memorials.
She reiterated that her party will go solo in the 2027 state assembly elections.
"Past experience makes it clear that alliances have not benefited us. Our vote is transferred to the alliance partner but their vote, especially the upper caste vote, is not transferred to the BSP," Mayawati said.
"National convenor Akash Anand is closely associated with the BSP movement. It's a good sign for the party. He is working under my direction to strengthen the party and organisation. The people should support Akash Anand as they have stood by me," she said.
"Akash's father Anand Kumar has been supporting me. He is the national vice-president," she said.
"BSP national general secretary SC Mishra has been tasked with associating the Brahmin community with the party. His son Kapil Mishra is organising a medical camp for workers during the rally. Uma Shankar Singh is also working to associate his community with the party. BSP state unit president Pal is working across the state to mobilize the backward community. Media adviser Jamil Akhtar and other party leaders are working hard to bring BSP to power in 2027," she said.
If the BSP comes to power in 2027, Mayawati announced that her government will review the law and rules framed under the SP and the BJP governments.
Mayawati called upon party supporters to work to strengthen the BSP and bring it to power in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. Mayawati cautioned the BJP government over any move to amend the Constitution.
"Under the BJP government, the exploitation of weaker sections continued. The life and property of the Muslim community is not safe under the present government," she added.
Mayawati also said she does not meet anyone on the sly, a remark that appeared to be aimed at negating the buzz about the possibility of SP leader Azam Khan joining her party....
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