LUCKNOW: In a decisive announcement, Mayawati, the leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), has quashed any notions of aligning with political alliances and boldly declared her party's intention to go solo in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Taking to the 'X' platform today, Mayawati emphasized that the BSP, akin to its stance in 2007, is steadfast in its resolve to independently participate in the forthcoming general elections as well as in contests across four state assemblies. The primary aim, she reiterated, is to unite millions of marginalized and dispersed individuals within society through the common thread of mutual solidarity. This approach, Mayawati argued, stands in stark contrast to the opportunistic maneuvers and manipulations frequently employed by political rivals.
With a firm denouncement of speculations regarding a potential alliance with the Opposition bloc Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), Mayawati dismissed such conjectures and urged the media to abstain from propagating baseless information. Expressing her unequivocal disapproval of both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition alliance INDIA, Mayawati castigated the majority of parties affiliated with these coalitions as proponents of anti-poor policies, driven by casteism and capitalism.
"The policies endorsed by a significant number of parties within the NDA and INDIA alliances are inherently biased against the impoverished and perpetuate caste-based divisions, fostering communal disharmony. These groups have exhibited a proclivity for supporting capitalist interests over the well-being of the masses, a trend that the BSP has consistently opposed. Therefore, the prospect of collaborating with such entities is entirely out of the question. I implore the media to refrain from disseminating unfounded reports," asserted the BSP leader.
As the impending assembly elections loom over Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana later this year, the BSP's stance becomes pivotal. The party had secured victory in six assembly constituencies during the 2018 Rajasthan elections, augmenting its vote share to an impressive 4 percent, a notable increase from the 3.37 percent attained in 2013. Similarly, in Madhya Pradesh, the BSP garnered 5.01 percent of the total votes, securing two seats in the 2018 polls. Meanwhile, in the 2018 Chhattisgarh assembly elections, the party's share of 3.87 percent votes translated into two seats.
In a thinly veiled dig at the INDIA alliance, Mayawati's statement on the 'X' platform underscored a pointed observation. She remarked that the Opposition bloc designates only those who align with their coalition as "secular," and anyone who does not is automatically relegated to a presumed alignment with the ruling BJP. This, in her view, presents a glaring injustice.
Employing a poignant Hindi proverb, she expressed her sentiment, "Khisyani billi khamba noche" (A cat unable to catch mice will scratch the pillar in frustration). This sentiment encapsulates the tendency of frustrated people to channel their feelings of embarrassment or disappointment into unnecessary conflict.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Mayawati's declaration carries significant implications for the upcoming electoral battles, adding yet another layer of complexity to the unfolding political narrative.
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