NEW DELHI: BSP supremo Mayawati on Monday declared her intent to contest the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections solo. Emphasizing that she needs to strengthen BSP for the welfare of Dalits, backward courses, tribals, and minority communities, Mayawati strategically focused the Samajwadi Party (SP) with out instantly naming the BJP. However, she did spotlight the distribution of free rations amid rising poverty and unemployment.
Addressing a press convention on her birthday, the BSP chief mentioned that her social gathering might think about about alliance as soon as the elections are over. “Our experience with alliances has never been beneficial for us and we suffer more losses from alliances. For this reason, most of the parties in the country want to ally with BSP. An alliance can be considered after the elections. If possible, BSP can extend its support after the elections…our party will fight the elections all alone,” she mentioned.
Why No Alliance?
Mayawati, citing the persistence of caste-based politics, asserted that her voters, particularly the higher castes, do not help BSP. While acknowledging previous alliances with SP and Congress, she blamed Akhilesh Yadav for altering colors like a ”chameleon.” She concluded that alliances at all times end in losses for her social gathering, therefore she determined to go solo.
Impact On Coalition Dynamics
Understanding the caste dynamics in UP is essential. Considering the numerous OBC vote financial institution in UP, the Narendra Modi issue can play a pivotal function in deciding the end result of the 2024 polls. Importantly, the BJP claims help from throughout all communities, together with Muslim ladies. However, Mayawati’s transfer creates a situation the place Dalit and Muslim votes may break up.
Dalit And Muslim Vote Dynamics
With over 45% OBC voters, round 20-21% Dalits, and 15-16% Muslims in UP, Mayawati’s politics predominantly revolves round these teams. Her determination to go solo doubtlessly divides these votes throughout BSP, SP, and Congress, creating a fancy situation.
Mayawati’s Decision: A Boon For BJP?
Mayawati’s solo enterprise may not directly profit the BJP, making a state of affairs the place anti-BJP votes break up between SP and BSP. BJP, buoyed by PM Modi’s welfare schemes, believes that it will possibly appeal to votes from all communities.
Congress’ Appeal And Likely Scenario
Congress, beforehand imagined to be all in favour of allying with the BSP, has now urged Mayawati to rethink her determination. The Grand Old Party envisions a united opposition in opposition to the 2019 vote share of 37.8%, aiming for a mixed 62.2% vote share. However, the ultimate determination rests on Mayawati’s political technique.
Mayawati’s Resilience
Despite latest electoral setbacks, Mayawati stays undeterred. Dismissing rumours of retirement, she reaffirms her dedication to politics. She refuted the claims that she might take a retirement from politics, saying that she is going to proceed to work to strengthen her social gathering. “Last month, I declared Akash Anand as my political successor following which it was being speculated in media that I may soon retire from politics. However, I want to clarify that it’s not the case, and I will continue to work towards strengthening the party,” she mentioned.
The BSP chief exhorted social gathering leaders and employees to “work with full strength to help the BSP get a favourable verdict” within the 2024 election.Â
The BSP, a Scheduled Castes-centric social gathering, was a significant political drive in Uttar Pradesh within the Nineties and 2000s however witnessed a gradual decline over the previous decade. In the 2022 meeting elections, the social gathering polled solely 12.8 per cent votes, its lowest in nearly three many years.
The upcoming election marketing campaign will reveal how Mayawati navigates the intricacies of solo politics. Mayawati’s determination introduces new variables into UP’s political equation, difficult present alliances and doubtlessly reshaping the state’s political panorama.
