In a significant announcement, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati declared on Monday that her party will independently contest the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, dismissing speculations about potential alliances. Addressing a press conference, Mayawati emphasized the party’s commitment to going solo, citing past experiences where alliances resulted in more losses than gains.
“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 form an alliance 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,” stated Mayawati.
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister criticized both the central and state governments, both ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of attempting to make people ‘slaves’ by providing free ration instead of addressing poverty and unemployment. Mayawati highlighted the employment initiatives undertaken during her government’s tenure in Uttar Pradesh, contrasting it with the current approach.
Mayawati also quashed rumors about her retirement from politics, clarifying her commitment to strengthening the party. “Last month, I declared Akash Anand as my political successor following which it was being speculated in the 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 asserted.
Encouraging party leaders and workers, Mayawati urged them to “work with full strength to help the BSP get a favorable verdict” in the 2024 elections. The BSP, historically a significant force in Uttar Pradesh, witnessed a gradual decline in recent years. In the 2022 assembly elections, the party secured only 12.8% of the votes, marking its lowest performance in almost three decades.
The BSP chief’s announcement comes after months of speculation about potential alliances, providing clarity on the party’s independent stance for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. As the political landscape evolves, Mayawati’s decision to go solo sets the stage for a distinct electoral strategy in 2024.
