Mayawati, the leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and former Chief Minister, has accused the Samajwadi Party (SP) of putting an end to reservation in promotions for Dalit and Adivasi employees.
Speaking at a public gathering in Uttar Pradesh's Basti, she urged people not to forgive the SP for this action. The BSP has nominated Luvkush Patel as its candidate from Basti, while the BJP has fielded Harish Dwivedi and the SP's candidate is Ram Prasad Chaudhary. Basti is set to vote on May 25 in the sixth phase of the elections.
Addressing the crowd at the GIC Ground in Basti, Mayawati highlighted the SP's role in abolishing reservation in promotion for Dalits and Adivasis during their tenure in power.
She questioned whether the people would support a party that took such actions. Mayawati also criticised the BJP government, accusing it of favouring the rich over the marginalised sections of society.
According to Mayawati, the rejection of the BJP in the current elections is due to its casteist, capitalist, narrow-minded, communal, and malicious policies.
She claimed that the people have seen through the BJP's rhetoric and have realised that many of their promises, including slogans like 'Acche Din' (Good Days), have not materialised.
Mayawati further pointed out that a report on election bonds, issued after intervention by the Supreme Court, revealed that BJP, Congress, and other political parties received financial assistance in the form of donations to fund their parties and election campaigns. She emphasised that the BSP is the only party that has not engaged in such practices.
In the 2019 elections, the BJP secured a significant victory in Uttar Pradesh, winning 62 out of 80 seats, with two seats going to its ally Apna Dal (S). The BSP managed to secure 10 seats, while the SP won five, and the Congress Party secured only one seat. In contrast, in the 2014 elections, the BJP won 71 out of 80 seats, while the SP won five seats and the Congress secured two.