BSP supremo decides to stay away from both INDI block and NDA
By Pradeep Kapoor
BSP national President Mayawati's decision to fight Lok Sabha independently without joining either NDA or INDIA has made BJP and the main opposition in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party, happy. The recent statements of Mayawati that gave the impression that she could join INDIA unnerved the BJP leadership as well as the Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav.
Congress leadership was in touch with Mayawati on her possible joining of the INDIA bloc to take on BJP in UP and other states. There is a realisation in Congress that INDIA bloc could gain strength with the induction of BSP, which could halt the march of BJP to gain power at the centre.
At the same time BJP was keen to keep Mayawati and her BSP out of INDIA and fight the elections independently. In this situation when there is a triangular contest in UP, which sends 80 members in Lok Sabha, BJP would certainly gain. Mayawati may not win the seat but her party would certainly damage INDIA.
BSP national president Mayawati was facing dilemma of to be or not to be a part of the INDIA bloc. On one hand, Mayawati is under pressure from forces she is aware of to not join any alliance and fight Lok Sabha polls independently.
Congress leadership is still in touch with Mayawati, urging her to reconsider the decision. There is a perception that the announcement could be just to mount pressure to bargain more seats.
That is why Akhilesh Yadav commented that there was no guarantee of Mayawati in post poll scenario. That is why the main opposition party Samajwadi Party and its national president are very much opposed to idea of inviting BSP to be part of INDIA bloc.
Samajwadi Party had the bitter experience with BSP in 2019 Lok Sabha polls when both the parties had alliance. While BSP increased its tally from nil to 10 and Samajwadi Party could only retain its five seats won in 2014 Lok Sabha polls. There was an understanding between the parties that the alliance would continue till assembly polls in 2022. But soon after Lok Sabha polls Mayawati blamed Samajwadi Party for not transferring the votes for BSP candidates and she dissolved the alliance unilaterally.
Now Samajwadi Party is not willing for any seat-sharing with BSP, should Mayawati opt for joining INDIA. Akhilesh hinted that he could spare a maximum of 20 seats for alliance keeping 60 seats for his party. Much depends on the bargaining power of Congress in view of Rahul Gandhi's ongoing Nyay Yatra.
During last fortnight the bitterness between Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati became obvious when the BSP chief launched an attack on Samajwadi Party and reminded the public of the infamous State Guest House case of June 2, 1995.As of now Mayawati's decision to go alone is being interpreted as result of tremendous pressure to keep her out of INDIA bloc. (IPA Service)
