BSP's Solo Act: After Repeated Setbacks, Mayawati Announces Independent Run In Upcoming Lok Sabha Elections

In a strategic move, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati announced on Monday (15 January) that her party will independently contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, citing past unfavorable experiences with alliances.

However, she did not completely rule out the possibility of forming alliances post the elections.

Addressing the media in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati asserted, "We suffer more losses from alliances. For this reason, most of the parties in the country want to form an alliance with the BSP. An alliance can be considered after the elections. If possible, the BSP can extend its support after the elections...our party will fight the elections all alone," reported Hindustan Times.

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Mayawati also highlighted the BSP's historic success in forming a full majority government in Uttar Pradesh in 2007, emphasising the support from diverse communities such as backward classes, Dalits, tribals, and Muslims.

The BSP, once a dominant political force in Uttar Pradesh during 1990-2000, has faced a gradual decline in recent years.

In the 2022 assembly election, the party secured only 12.8 per cent of the votes, marking its lowest performance in three decades.

Responding to recent speculation about her retirement after naming nephew Akash Anand as her political successor, Mayawati dispelled the rumors, stating, "I want to clarify that it is not the case, and I will continue to work towards strengthening the party."

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