In the run-up to the polls in Chhattisgarh, Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Sunday asserted that if her party emerges victorious, minority communities, the poor and Muslims residing in the state will be uplifted.

The BSP supremo further asserted that the Naxals in the area will leave the path of violence to shun the path of violence and will work towards their development.

"Till now, several governments belonging to different political parties have ruled Chhattisgarh. But none of them have done enough for the development of poor, backward and Dalits. If my party will get the majority of votes, all the people, especially Dalits, Muslims, backward classes and the poor will be benefitted and their status will be uplifted in the society. Naxals will also leave the path of violence and will start working in the right direction," she said.

"By electing BJP as the single winner in the elections, all the dreams of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar will soon be fulfilled as my party will work day and night to provide support and relief to Dalits, Muslims, and other groups," she added.

While addressing the rally in Akaltara, Mayawati also touched upon the issue of reservation and alleged that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led-government at the Centre has diluted many acts pertaining to reservations for downtrodden sections of the country.

She also stated that both Congress and BJP, while in power, are not in favour of implementing the recommendations of the Mandal Commission.

"When Congress was in power they also didn't take any initiative to implement the Mandal Commission. Now that BJP is in power, they are not interested in the implementation and betterment of the Dalits and other backward classes. They both want to put an end to the reservation," she said.

Further training guns at the BJP, Mayawati said that increased prices of fuel, CNG and other products have made it difficult for people to make their ends meet.

"By implementing weak policies, the present government has created unemployment, inflation in the country. Not only that by increasing the prices of the cylinder, people not only in Chhattisgarh but also across India are facing issues," she added.

The 62-year-old claimed that while her party was in power in Uttar Pradesh, the demands of every community were fulfilled sans discrimination. "A compensation was also given to people who faced unemployment and basic facilities were provided to all especially farmers, women, poor, small businessmen," she added.

Elections to the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held in the two phases this month. The first Phase for 18 seats in South Chhattisgarh will be held on November 12 and second for remaining 72 seats of North Chhattisgarh will be held on November 20.

The counting of votes will take place on December 11.&nbsp;

In the run-up to the polls in Chhattisgarh, Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Sunday asserted that if her party emerges victorious, minority communities, the poor and Muslims residing in the state will be uplifted.

In the run-up to the polls in Chhattisgarh, Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Sunday asserted that if her party emerges victorious, minority communities, the poor and Muslims residing in the state will be uplifted. The BSP supremo further asserted that the Naxals in the area will leave the path of violence to shun the path of violence and will work towards their development. "Till now, several governments belonging to different political parties have ruled Chhattisgarh. But none of them have done enough for the development of poor, backward and Dalits. If my party will get the majority of votes, all the people, especially Dalits, Muslims, backward classes and the poor will be benefitted and their status will be uplifted in the society. Naxals will also leave the path of violence and will start working in the right direction," she said. "By electing BJP as the single winner in the elections, all the dreams of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar will soon be fulfilled as my party will work day and night to provide support and relief to Dalits, Muslims, and other groups," she added. While addressing the rally in Akaltara, Mayawati also touched upon the issue of reservation and alleged that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led-government at the Centre has diluted many acts pertaining to reservations for downtrodden sections of the country. She also stated that both Congress and BJP, while in power, are not in favour of implementing the recommendations of the Mandal Commission. "When Congress was in power they also didn't take any initiative to implement the Mandal Commission. Now that BJP is in power, they are not interested in the implementation and betterment of the Dalits and other backward classes. They both want to put an end to the reservation," she said. Further training guns at the BJP, Mayawati said that increased prices of fuel, CNG and other products have made it difficult for people to make their ends meet. "By implementing weak policies, the present government has created unemployment, inflation in the country. Not only that by increasing the prices of the cylinder, people not only in Chhattisgarh but also across India are facing issues," she added. The 62-year-old claimed that while her party was in power in Uttar Pradesh, the demands of every community were fulfilled sans discrimination. "A compensation was also given to people who faced unemployment and basic facilities were provided to all especially farmers, women, poor, small businessmen," she added. Elections to the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held in the two phases this month. The first Phase for 18 seats in South Chhattisgarh will be held on November 12 and second for remaining 72 seats of North Chhattisgarh will be held on November 20. The counting of votes will take place on December 11.

Chhattisgarh polls: Naxals will shun violence if BSP regains power, says Mayawati

Ordinarily speaking, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati’s decision to not ally with the Congress for the upcoming Assembly elections in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, should not have caused a ripple, much less led to a raucous debate it did in the media. 
 
The BSP is not considered a major force in either of the two States. In the 2013 poll, the party secured just a little over six per cent of the votes in Madhya Pradesh, while in Rajasthan it had fared even more miserably — getting less than three-and-a-half per cent. In both these instances, the BSP had done worse than it did in 2008. This, despite the fact that the Scheduled Caste population in both the States is good enough to have made Mayawati a force to reckon with; over 15 per cent Madhya Pradesh and 18 per cent in Rajasthan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mayawati’s flexing of muscles has alarmed the Congress for reasons that go beyond these two States. The first is that she has made a mockery of efforts to cobble together a larger anti-BJP alliance in time for the 2019 Lok Sabha election. 
 
Though she has not categorically ruled out a coalition with a Congress-led opposition for the general election, the tirade she launched against the country’s oldest national party could be relevant for 2019 as well. She called the Congress casteist and corrupt. Senior members of her party, taking a cue, added their bit, accusing the Congress of being arrogant and detached from ground realities.

Part of this outburst can be attributed to the Congress’s disinclination to entertain the high number of seats the BSP had been demanding in both the States — a number that, according to Congress leaders, was simply out of proportion to the BSP’s winnability factor. But the part reason is also about the discomfort in the BSP over ceding prime space to Congress president Rahul Gandhi in national calculations.&nbsp;

It’s an uneasiness which the BSP alone does not have. Prominent regional satraps, including Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, share her opinion. Samajwadi party spokespersons virtually backed Mayawati’s decision to go it alone in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, and instead advised the Congress to show flexibility The Samajwadi Party and the BSP have already formed an alliance in Uttar Pradesh, and neither is in dire need of the Congress in the State. This bodes ill for the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, a State which sends 80 members to the Lok Sabha. The Congress is especially vulnerable here and simply cannot do much without riding piggyback on either the BSP or the Samajwadi Party or both.&nbsp;

The Congress interprets Mayawati’s decision as a snub because she pulled the rung from under its feet even as negotiations were on between the two. Besides, it felt upset that in the midst of talks earlier on, the BSP chief had unilaterally announced her candidates for two dozen seats in Madhya Pradesh. But announcing a clutch of her candidates for Madhya Pradesh was not the only indication Mayawati gave; she tied up with Ajit Jogi’s Chhattisgarh Janata Congress, the Congress’s bitter rival in Chhattisgarh, the other State which votes for a new Assembly. It didn’t help that Jogi had been a prominent Congress leader in the State once upon a time and was now determined to finish off his former party.&nbsp;

Mayawati does command more attention and consideration than what electoral statistics would suggest. Her party could not win a single Lok Sabha seat in the 2014 election. It came a distant third in the 2017 Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh, failing to outperform even the Samajwadi Party which had been deeply fractured as a result of a family feud. In the given situation, many expected her to gratefully accept whatever she got out of alliances. But she has surprised them all. Her confidence stems from the fact that she remains a mass leader and can tilt the scales in contests that matter — definitely so in Uttar Pradesh and also in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, though only in a few pockets. But, most importantly, the larger opposition unity project will be in doldrums minus her participation.&nbsp;

&nbsp; 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Ordinarily speaking, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati’s decision to not ally with the Congress for the upcoming Assembly elections in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, should not have caused a ripple, much less led to a raucous debate it did in the media.

Ordinarily speaking, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati’s decision to not ally with the Congress for the upcoming Assembly elections in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, should not have caused a ripple, much less led to a raucous debate it did in the media. The BSP is not considered a major force in either of the two States. In the 2013 poll, the party secured just a little over six per cent of the votes in Madhya Pradesh, while in Rajasthan it had fared even more miserably — getting less than three-and-a-half per cent. In both these instances, the BSP had done worse than it did in 2008. This, despite the fact that the Scheduled Caste population in both the States is good enough to have made Mayawati a force to reckon with; over 15 per cent Madhya Pradesh and 18 per cent in Rajasthan. Mayawati’s flexing of muscles has alarmed the Congress for reasons that go beyond these two States. The first is that she has made a mockery of efforts to cobble together a larger anti-BJP alliance in time for the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Though she has not categorically ruled out a coalition with a Congress-led opposition for the general election, the tirade she launched against the country’s oldest national party could be relevant for 2019 as well. She called the Congress casteist and corrupt. Senior members of her party, taking a cue, added their bit, accusing the Congress of being arrogant and detached from ground realities. Part of this outburst can be attributed to the Congress’s disinclination to entertain the high number of seats the BSP had been demanding in both the States — a number that, according to Congress leaders, was simply out of proportion to the BSP’s winnability factor. But the part reason is also about the discomfort in the BSP over ceding prime space to Congress president Rahul Gandhi in national calculations. It’s an uneasiness which the BSP alone does not have. Prominent regional satraps, including Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, share her opinion. Samajwadi party spokespersons virtually backed Mayawati’s decision to go it alone in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, and instead advised the Congress to show flexibility The Samajwadi Party and the BSP have already formed an alliance in Uttar Pradesh, and neither is in dire need of the Congress in the State. This bodes ill for the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, a State which sends 80 members to the Lok Sabha. The Congress is especially vulnerable here and simply cannot do much without riding piggyback on either the BSP or the Samajwadi Party or both. The Congress interprets Mayawati’s decision as a snub because she pulled the rung from under its feet even as negotiations were on between the two. Besides, it felt upset that in the midst of talks earlier on, the BSP chief had unilaterally announced her candidates for two dozen seats in Madhya Pradesh. But announcing a clutch of her candidates for Madhya Pradesh was not the only indication Mayawati gave; she tied up with Ajit Jogi’s Chhattisgarh Janata Congress, the Congress’s bitter rival in Chhattisgarh, the other State which votes for a new Assembly. It didn’t help that Jogi had been a prominent Congress leader in the State once upon a time and was now determined to finish off his former party. Mayawati does command more attention and consideration than what electoral statistics would suggest. Her party could not win a single Lok Sabha seat in the 2014 election. It came a distant third in the 2017 Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh, failing to outperform even the Samajwadi Party which had been deeply fractured as a result of a family feud. In the given situation, many expected her to gratefully accept whatever she got out of alliances. But she has surprised them all. Her confidence stems from the fact that she remains a mass leader and can tilt the scales in contests that matter — definitely so in Uttar Pradesh and also in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, though only in a few pockets. But, most importantly, the larger opposition unity project will be in doldrums minus her participation. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Mayawati upsets Congress calculations;  will this impact 2019 scenario?

BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday condemned BJP chief Amit Shah's remarks on the Sabarimala verdict, saying the court should take cognisance of the "irresponsible and provocative statement".

In a statement here, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo said that Shah's remarks showed "the democracy of the country is in danger".

Addressing a gathering in Kerala's Kannur on Saturday, Shah listed court verdicts which have not been implemented, including on 'Jallikattu' (traditional bull taming sport of Tamil Nadu) and prohibiting loudspeakers in mosques, and said "impractical" directions should not be given by courts and they should pass orders that can be implemented.

"The statement of the ruling party president is condemnable and irresponsible. The court should take cognisance. It shows the democracy of the country is in danger. Autonomous institutions such as CBI, CVC, ED and RBI are facing a crisis due to the wrong perspective of the government and ego," Mayawati said.

"On this serious matter of Sabarimala temple, BJP leader's speech is provocative and an attempt to take political mileage in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan polls," she said, terming it "unconstitutional and unparliamentary".

"If the BJP is not satisfied with the SC decision allowing women's entry into the temple, they should approach the court and not create chaos on roads or threaten to dismiss elected government," Mayawati said, adding that the BJP wanted to divert attention of the people from core issues by raking up religious matters.

On September 28, the Supreme Court paved the way for the entry of women of all ages into the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, in its 4:1 verdict, said that banning the entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine is gender discrimination and the practice violates rights of Hindu women.&nbsp;

BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday condemned BJP chief Amit Shah's remarks on the Sabarimala verdict, saying the court should take cognisance of the "irresponsible and provocative statement".

BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday condemned BJP chief Amit Shah's remarks on the Sabarimala verdict, saying the court should take cognisance of the "irresponsible and provocative statement". In a statement here, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo said that Shah's remarks showed "the democracy of the country is in danger". Addressing a gathering in Kerala's Kannur on Saturday, Shah listed court verdicts which have not been implemented, including on 'Jallikattu' (traditional bull taming sport of Tamil Nadu) and prohibiting loudspeakers in mosques, and said "impractical" directions should not be given by courts and they should pass orders that can be implemented. "The statement of the ruling party president is condemnable and irresponsible. The court should take cognisance. It shows the democracy of the country is in danger. Autonomous institutions such as CBI, CVC, ED and RBI are facing a crisis due to the wrong perspective of the government and ego," Mayawati said. "On this serious matter of Sabarimala temple, BJP leader's speech is provocative and an attempt to take political mileage in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan polls," she said, terming it "unconstitutional and unparliamentary". "If the BJP is not satisfied with the SC decision allowing women's entry into the temple, they should approach the court and not create chaos on roads or threaten to dismiss elected government," Mayawati said, adding that the BJP wanted to divert attention of the people from core issues by raking up religious matters. On September 28, the Supreme Court paved the way for the entry of women of all ages into the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, in its 4:1 verdict, said that banning the entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine is gender discrimination and the practice violates rights of Hindu women.

Amit Shah's Sabarimala remarks provocative, court should take cognisance: BSP

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is planning to contest on all 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan, which is going to polls on December 7.

The party won three seats in the 2013-assembly elections by securing 3.37 per cent vote share, which was 7.60 per cent in the 2008-elections when the party had won six MLAs.

"Our preparations are in full swing and we will contest on all 200 seats in the forthcoming elections," state party vice-president Dungarram Gedar said.

In the last assembly elections, the party had contested in 195 constituencies.&nbsp;

He informed that the tickets will be finalised soon and BSP chief Mayawati will hold rallies in the state.

"We are expecting to increase our tally in the 2018-elections because people are unhappy with both the BJP and the Congress. There is a resentment against the ruling BJP and people are not seeing any hope in the Congress," another BSP leader Bhagwan Singh said.

He informed that the party chief will hold rallies in different parts of the state during elections.

Districts in eastern Rajasthan like Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli, Sawaimadhopur, Alwar and in northern parts like Hanumangarh, Sriganganagar, Bikaner has significant number of Scheduled Castes (SC) population, which is the vote bank of the party.

In the state, there are 34 SC and 25 ST seats out of the total 200 seats.

"The BSP is contesting solo and the Congress is going to suffer a loss," he said on Mayawati's recent announcement of not having alliance with the Congress for contesting assembly polls in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.&nbsp;

The party is contesting assembly elections in the state since 1990, but it registered its first victory in 1998 by winning two seats.&nbsp;

In 1998, the party had fielded 108 candidates and secured 2.17 per cent vote share.

In 2003 elections, the BSP fought in 124 constituencies and won two seats and increased its vote share to 3.98 per cent.

The biggest victory of the party in the state was in the 2008-elections when six of the party's candidates won elections and the vote share increased to 7.60 per cent.

However, that victory was short-lived as all the six BSP MLAs joined the Congress and supported the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government.&nbsp;

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is planning to contest on all 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan, which is going to polls on December 7. The party won three seats in the 2013-assembly elections by securing 3.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is planning to contest on all 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan, which is going to polls on December 7. The party won three seats in the 2013-assembly elections by securing 3.37 per cent vote share, which was 7.60 per cent in the 2008-elections when the party had won six MLAs. "Our preparations are in full swing and we will contest on all 200 seats in the forthcoming elections," state party vice-president Dungarram Gedar said. In the last assembly elections, the party had contested in 195 constituencies. He informed that the tickets will be finalised soon and BSP chief Mayawati will hold rallies in the state. "We are expecting to increase our tally in the 2018-elections because people are unhappy with both the BJP and the Congress. There is a resentment against the ruling BJP and people are not seeing any hope in the Congress," another BSP leader Bhagwan Singh said. He informed that the party chief will hold rallies in different parts of the state during elections. Districts in eastern Rajasthan like Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli, Sawaimadhopur, Alwar and in northern parts like Hanumangarh, Sriganganagar, Bikaner has significant number of Scheduled Castes (SC) population, which is the vote bank of the party. In the state, there are 34 SC and 25 ST seats out of the total 200 seats. "The BSP is contesting solo and the Congress is going to suffer a loss," he said on Mayawati's recent announcement of not having alliance with the Congress for contesting assembly polls in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The party is contesting assembly elections in the state since 1990, but it registered its first victory in 1998 by winning two seats. In 1998, the party had fielded 108 candidates and secured 2.17 per cent vote share. In 2003 elections, the BSP fought in 124 constituencies and won two seats and increased its vote share to 3.98 per cent. The biggest victory of the party in the state was in the 2008-elections when six of the party's candidates won elections and the vote share increased to 7.60 per cent. However, that victory was short-lived as all the six BSP MLAs joined the Congress and supported the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government.

BSP plans to contest on all 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan

Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily said Tuesday the BSP and the Samajwadi Party would be part of the grand alliance of opposition parties against the BJP-led NDA in the next year's Lok Sabha polls.

He also claimed the Congress will win at least four of the five states where assembly elections will be held over the next two months.

The former union minister's statement followed Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav's comment last week that his party would not wait for the Congress to decide on an alliance for the Madhya Pradesh elections any longer, hinting that he could go for a tie-up with Mayawati's BSP.

The SP's snub to the Congress came days after Mayawati ruled out a poll pact with the main opposition party for assembly elections in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Speaking to PTI, Moily said the proposed grand alliance was meant for Lok Sabha elections and not the state assemblies.

In state elections, parties have their own compulsions, he said.

"Our main ambition is to see that in parliamentary elections the opposition is united and we are likely to achieve that target," Moily said, exuding confidence that both the BSP and SP would be constituents of the grand alliance for the Lok Sabha polls.

Moily, a former Karnataka chief minister, claimed that votes would get polarised between the Congress and the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh assembly elections.

Moily said the Congress would win the Rajasthan elections and have an edge over the BJP in Madhya Pradesh.

"In Chhattisgarh, it's 50:50. There, it (the result) depends on our (poll) management...Selection of candidates," he said. "We are going to win in Mizoram," he asserted.

Moily also claimed that the Congress would bag Telangana in alliance with the TDP, CPI and other opposition parties.

"Chances are that out of the five states going to polls--Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana--the Congress is going to win at least four," he said.

On the prime ministerial candidate of the grand alliance, he said the issue might not arise because no party in the proposed grouping would insist on that.

"Ultimately, we will have to fight on the issue that we should defeat BJP and communal forces, that's the only issue. Leadership... Who should become prime minister, will be taken up at an appropriate time. That should not block the opposition unity," Moily said.

Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily said Tuesday the BSP and the Samajwadi Party would be part of the grand alliance of opposition parties against the BJP-led NDA in the next year's Lok Sabha polls.

Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily said Tuesday the BSP and the Samajwadi Party would be part of the grand alliance of opposition parties against the BJP-led NDA in the next year's Lok Sabha polls. He also claimed the Congress will win at least four of the five states where assembly elections will be held over the next two months. The former union minister's statement followed Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav's comment last week that his party would not wait for the Congress to decide on an alliance for the Madhya Pradesh elections any longer, hinting that he could go for a tie-up with Mayawati's BSP. The SP's snub to the Congress came days after Mayawati ruled out a poll pact with the main opposition party for assembly elections in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Speaking to PTI, Moily said the proposed grand alliance was meant for Lok Sabha elections and not the state assemblies. In state elections, parties have their own compulsions, he said. "Our main ambition is to see that in parliamentary elections the opposition is united and we are likely to achieve that target," Moily said, exuding confidence that both the BSP and SP would be constituents of the grand alliance for the Lok Sabha polls. Moily, a former Karnataka chief minister, claimed that votes would get polarised between the Congress and the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh assembly elections. Moily said the Congress would win the Rajasthan elections and have an edge over the BJP in Madhya Pradesh. "In Chhattisgarh, it's 50:50. There, it (the result) depends on our (poll) management...Selection of candidates," he said. "We are going to win in Mizoram," he asserted. Moily also claimed that the Congress would bag Telangana in alliance with the TDP, CPI and other opposition parties. "Chances are that out of the five states going to polls--Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana--the Congress is going to win at least four," he said. On the prime ministerial candidate of the grand alliance, he said the issue might not arise because no party in the proposed grouping would insist on that. "Ultimately, we will have to fight on the issue that we should defeat BJP and communal forces, that's the only issue. Leadership... Who should become prime minister, will be taken up at an appropriate time. That should not block the opposition unity," Moily said.

Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati will be in grand alliance for Lok Sabha poll: Congress leader Moily

Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Wednesday reacted to BSP chief <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bsp-will-fight-assembly-elections-alone-rajasthan-madhya-pradesh-mayawati-169191">Mayawati calling him a BJP agent</a> stating that he has been "one of the bitterest critics of PM Modi."

"Please ask her, as far as I am concerned, I had been one of the bitterest critics of Modi ji, Amit Shah ji, BJP and the RSS. Rahul Gandhi is our Congress chief, we follow his directions," Singh noted.

He further added that he respects the BSP chief and is in favour of the Congress-BSP alliance.&nbsp;

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I've already made it clear that I respect Mayawati ji&amp;has been in favour of Congress-BSP alliance from beginning. In Chhattisgarh, there were talks for alliance but she didn't go for it. In MP too there were talks of alliance, she declared 22 candidates: Digvijaya Singh, Congress <a href="https://t.co/1K6ggE0bf3">pic.twitter.com/1K6ggE0bf3</a>
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"I've already made it clear that I respect Mayawati ji and have been in favour of Congress-BSP alliance from the beginning. In Chhattisgarh, there were talks for alliance but she didn't go for it. In MP too there were talks of an alliance, she declared 22 candidates," he added.&nbsp;

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Please ask her, as far as I am concerned, I had been one of the bitterest critics of Modi ji, Amit Shah ji, BJP &amp; RSS. Rahul Gandhi is our Congress chief, we follow his directions: Digvijaya Singh, Congress on BSP chief Mayawati's statement on him <a href="https://t.co/5YjcU9c3WY">pic.twitter.com/5YjcU9c3WY</a>
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BSP chief Mayawati, earlier in the day, announced that her party will contest assembly elections without any alliance in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.&nbsp;

"Digvijaya Singh, who is also a BJP agent, is giving statements that Mayawati ji has a lot of pressure from Centre so she doesn’t want this alliance. This is baseless," the BSP chief added.&nbsp;

She also added that she feels that "Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi's intentions for Congress-BSP alliance are honest, however, some Congress leaders are sabotaging this."

Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Wednesday reacted to BSP chief Mayawati calling him a BJP agent stating that he has been "one of the bitterest critics of PM Modi.

Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Wednesday reacted to BSP chief Mayawati calling him a BJP agent stating that he has been "one of the bitterest critics of PM Modi." "Please ask her, as far as I am concerned, I had been one of the bitterest critics of Modi ji, Amit Shah ji, BJP and the RSS. Rahul Gandhi is our Congress chief, we follow his directions," Singh noted. He further added that he respects the BSP chief and is in favour of the Congress-BSP alliance. I've already made it clear that I respect Mayawati ji&has been in favour of Congress-BSP alliance from beginning. In Chhattisgarh, there were talks for alliance but she didn't go for it. In MP too there were talks of alliance, she declared 22 candidates: Digvijaya Singh, Congress pic.twitter.com/1K6ggE0bf3 — ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2018 × "I've already made it clear that I respect Mayawati ji and have been in favour of Congress-BSP alliance from the beginning. In Chhattisgarh, there were talks for alliance but she didn't go for it. In MP too there were talks of an alliance, she declared 22 candidates," he added. Please ask her, as far as I am concerned, I had been one of the bitterest critics of Modi ji, Amit Shah ji, BJP & RSS. Rahul Gandhi is our Congress chief, we follow his directions: Digvijaya Singh, Congress on BSP chief Mayawati's statement on him pic.twitter.com/5YjcU9c3WY — ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2018 × BSP chief Mayawati, earlier in the day, announced that her party will contest assembly elections without any alliance in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. "Digvijaya Singh, who is also a BJP agent, is giving statements that Mayawati ji has a lot of pressure from Centre so she doesn’t want this alliance. This is baseless," the BSP chief added. She also added that she feels that "Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi's intentions for Congress-BSP alliance are honest, however, some Congress leaders are sabotaging this."

I am biggest Modi critic: Digvijay Singh on Mayawati's 'BJP agent' jibe 

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Wednesday announced that the BSP will contest assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan on its own sans any alliance, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

At a press briefing in Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati accused the BJP and the Congress of conspiring against her party and trying to finish it.&nbsp;

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Congress, like the BJP, is conspiring to finish off our (BSP) party: BSP Chief Mayawati to ANI <a href="https://t.co/gCPoSSaaG1">pic.twitter.com/gCPoSSaaG1</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1047439440665358336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Congress is getting arrogant and are under the misconception that they can defeat the BJP on their own but the ground reality is that people haven't forgiven Congress party for their mistakes and corruption... They don't seem to be ready to rectify themselves," she noted.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Delhi: BSP Chief Mayawati's reaction when asked if there is any possibility of a BSP-Congress alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha &amp; assembly elections. <a href="https://t.co/jAztvwiV7r">pic.twitter.com/jAztvwiV7r</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1047442598363848704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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She also added that she feels that "Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi's intentions for Congress-BSP alliance are honest, however, some Congress leaders are sabotaging this."

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They (Congress) are getting arrogant &amp; are under misconception that they can defeat BJP on their own but the ground reality is that people haven't forgiven Congress party for their mistakes&amp;corruption...They don't seem to be ready to rectify themselves: BSP chief Mayawati to ANI <a href="https://t.co/sjdOMaKN4c">pic.twitter.com/sjdOMaKN4c</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1047438202007633920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Digvijaya Singh, who is also a BJP agent, is giving statements that Mayawati ji has a lot of pressure from Centre so she doesn’t want this alliance. This is baseless," the BSP chief added.&nbsp;

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I feel that Sonia Gandhi &amp; Rahul Gandhi's intentions for Congress-BSP alliance are honest. However some Congress leaders are sabotaging this : BSP Chief Mayawati to ANI <a href="https://t.co/KNZyCgD0rX">pic.twitter.com/KNZyCgD0rX</a>
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Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are slated to go assembly polls later this year.&nbsp;

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Wednesday announced that the BSP will contest assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan on its own sans any alliance, news agency ANI reported.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Wednesday announced that the BSP will contest assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan on its own sans any alliance, news agency ANI reported. At a press briefing in Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati accused the BJP and the Congress of conspiring against her party and trying to finish it. Congress, like the BJP, is conspiring to finish off our (BSP) party: BSP Chief Mayawati to ANI pic.twitter.com/gCPoSSaaG1 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 3, 2018 × "Congress is getting arrogant and are under the misconception that they can defeat the BJP on their own but the ground reality is that people haven't forgiven Congress party for their mistakes and corruption... They don't seem to be ready to rectify themselves," she noted. #WATCH Delhi: BSP Chief Mayawati's reaction when asked if there is any possibility of a BSP-Congress alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha & assembly elections. pic.twitter.com/jAztvwiV7r — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 3, 2018 × She also added that she feels that "Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi's intentions for Congress-BSP alliance are honest, however, some Congress leaders are sabotaging this." They (Congress) are getting arrogant & are under misconception that they can defeat BJP on their own but the ground reality is that people haven't forgiven Congress party for their mistakes&corruption...They don't seem to be ready to rectify themselves: BSP chief Mayawati to ANI pic.twitter.com/sjdOMaKN4c — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 3, 2018 × "Digvijaya Singh, who is also a BJP agent, is giving statements that Mayawati ji has a lot of pressure from Centre so she doesn’t want this alliance. This is baseless," the BSP chief added. I feel that Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi's intentions for Congress-BSP alliance are honest. However some Congress leaders are sabotaging this : BSP Chief Mayawati to ANI pic.twitter.com/KNZyCgD0rX — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 3, 2018 × Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are slated to go assembly polls later this year.

Watch: Mayawati says BSP will fight assembly elections alone in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has said that he was ready to sacrifice his party's seats&nbsp;to continue alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party.

He said their motive was to win elections against BJP and defeat them.

Yadav said,"Our alliance with BSP will continue, in 2019 even if we have to give up a few seats we will do it. We have to ensure BJP is defeated."

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Yadav's remake has come after BSP chief Mayawati said in a national executive meet last month that she would come in alliance with other parties only after her party gets" a respectable number of seats", a media reported.

While Uttar Pradesh minister Swami Prasad Maurya said that the alliance between "Bua and Babua" (Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav) will finish off before the 2019 elections.

He said that because the coalition between Mayawati and Akhilesh was an issue-less alliance, the two will finish off with fighting among themselves.

Maurya said, "Bua and Babua (Mayawati & Akhilesh Yadav) will finish off with fighting among themselves. This isn't an alliance based on issues. An issue-less alliance never works. They will finish off before the election (2019) comes".

Akhilesh Yadav was on his visit to Manipur to unveil the statue of a former pradhan in Jauri village.

The BSP-SP alliance recently rooted out BJP from Gorakhpur, Kairana, Noorpur and Phulpur seats in the&nbsp;bypolls.

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Our alliance with BSP will continue, in 2019 even if we have to give up a few seats we will do it. We have to ensure BJP is defeated: Akhilesh Yadav,SP <a href="https://t.co/5vq4AA9frs">pic.twitter.com/5vq4AA9frs</a>
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&nbsp;

Yadav said,'Our alliance with BSP will continue, in 2019 even if we have to give up a few seats we will do it. We have to ensure BJP is defeated'

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has said that he was ready to sacrifice his party's seats to continue alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party. He said their motive was to win elections against BJP and defeat them. Yadav said,"Our alliance with BSP will continue, in 2019 even if we have to give up a few seats we will do it. We have to ensure BJP is defeated." × Yadav's remake has come after BSP chief Mayawati said in a national executive meet last month that she would come in alliance with other parties only after her party gets" a respectable number of seats", a media reported. While Uttar Pradesh minister Swami Prasad Maurya said that the alliance between "Bua and Babua" (Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav) will finish off before the 2019 elections. He said that because the coalition between Mayawati and Akhilesh was an issue-less alliance, the two will finish off with fighting among themselves. Maurya said, "Bua and Babua (Mayawati & Akhilesh Yadav) will finish off with fighting among themselves. This isn't an alliance based on issues. An issue-less alliance never works. They will finish off before the election (2019) comes". Akhilesh Yadav was on his visit to Manipur to unveil the statue of a former pradhan in Jauri village. The BSP-SP alliance recently rooted out BJP from Gorakhpur, Kairana, Noorpur and Phulpur seats in the bypolls. Our alliance with BSP will continue, in 2019 even if we have to give up a few seats we will do it. We have to ensure BJP is defeated: Akhilesh Yadav,SP pic.twitter.com/5vq4AA9frs — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 11, 2018 ×

Ready to sacrifice our own seats to continue alliance with BSP: Akhilesh Yadav

BSP Chief Mayawati on Wednesday vacated her bungalow in Lucknow in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court.&nbsp;

News agency ANI reported that BSP supremo, who occupied bungalow no. 6, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Lucknow, &nbsp;has vacated in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court.&nbsp;

The bungalow was allotted to her in the capacity of former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

Supreme Court has recently ordered former Uttar Pradesh chief ministers to vacate their official residences.

The Supreme Court had earlier this month said that former chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh cannot retain government accommodation after demitting office, observing that a chief minister was at par with a common man once his or her term ends.

The court was hearing a petition filed by NGO Lok Prahari, challenging the amendments made by the erstwhile Akhilesh Yadav government to the UP Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1981.

As per the notice served by the UP Government after Supreme Court’s order, six former CMs of UP, including Mayawati and Akhilesh, will have to vacate their government bungalows by the end of this month.

Though Mayawati is set to vacate her government bungalow situated at 13A Mall Avenue and is reportedly moving to a new address 9 Mall Avenue, which happens to be bang opposite to her house. But on Monday morning one board had come up at 13A Mall Avenue which read 'Kanshiram Yaadgar Vishram Sthal'.

Earlier reports said that instead of vacating her official residence at 13 A, Mall Avenue, Lucknow, Mayawati has reportedly gotten a signboard on the premises declaring it to be ‘Shri Kanshiram Ji Yaadgar Vishraam Sthal’.

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BSP Chief Mayawati vacated bungalow no. 6, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Lucknow in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court. The bungalow was allotted to her in the capacity of former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. (File pic) <a href="https://t.co/I1nIsTohsa">pic.twitter.com/I1nIsTohsa</a>
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The bungalow was allotted to her in the capacity of former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh

BSP Chief Mayawati on Wednesday vacated her bungalow in Lucknow in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court. News agency ANI reported that BSP supremo, who occupied bungalow no. 6, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Lucknow, has vacated in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court. The bungalow was allotted to her in the capacity of former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Supreme Court has recently ordered former Uttar Pradesh chief ministers to vacate their official residences. The Supreme Court had earlier this month said that former chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh cannot retain government accommodation after demitting office, observing that a chief minister was at par with a common man once his or her term ends. The court was hearing a petition filed by NGO Lok Prahari, challenging the amendments made by the erstwhile Akhilesh Yadav government to the UP Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1981. As per the notice served by the UP Government after Supreme Court’s order, six former CMs of UP, including Mayawati and Akhilesh, will have to vacate their government bungalows by the end of this month. Though Mayawati is set to vacate her government bungalow situated at 13A Mall Avenue and is reportedly moving to a new address 9 Mall Avenue, which happens to be bang opposite to her house. But on Monday morning one board had come up at 13A Mall Avenue which read 'Kanshiram Yaadgar Vishram Sthal'. Earlier reports said that instead of vacating her official residence at 13 A, Mall Avenue, Lucknow, Mayawati has reportedly gotten a signboard on the premises declaring it to be ‘Shri Kanshiram Ji Yaadgar Vishraam Sthal’. BSP Chief Mayawati vacated bungalow no. 6, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Lucknow in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court. The bungalow was allotted to her in the capacity of former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/I1nIsTohsa — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 30, 2018 ×

Mayawati vacates bungalow in compliance with orders of Supreme Court

BSP chief Mayawati today announced changes in the party constitution, which bar her brother from continuing as its vice president while letting her remain the national president till she is too old for that responsibility.&nbsp;

Mayawati said she will continue to lead the Bahujan Samaj Party for the next 20 to 22 years, bluntly telling party leaders that nobody needed to dream of becoming the party president.&nbsp;

Addressing a meeting in Lucknow of party's national office bearers, she also announced major organisational changes and indicated that the BSP was willing to contest any coming election on its own if "respectable" seat-sharing arrangements could not be worked out.

Mayawati said she had made some minor changes in the BSP constitution last year to involve her younger brother into party work on the request of party leaders.

"It is unfortunate that there were reports in the media about the family being promoted in the organisation, like the Congress," she said.

"But my brother himself said he will work only as a common worker in the interest of the party," she added.

On the changes in the party constitution, she said that no close relative of the national president will hold any position in the party.

The new national president will be appointed only after the serving leader is unable to continue with field duties because of old age, she said.

Also, the new BSP national president will be appointed on the advice of the outgoing leader.

While mentioning the changes in the BSP constitution, she referred to the constitution during BSP founder Kanshi Ram's time, when relatives were not allowed party posts. This had upset some of Kanshi Ram's relatives, she recalled.

She told party leaders that though the BSP was discussing alliances with other parties for future elections, they should be prepared for any situation.

"Although talks are underway for poll alliances in Uttar Pradesh and other states, you have to remain prepared for facing any situation in your respective states at all levels," she said.

She said the stand of the party while entering into an alliance in any election has been to get a respectable share of the seats to contest. Otherwise, it sees fighting on its own as a better option, she said.

Mayawati, who was part of the show of unity among opposition parties at the swearing-in ceremony of Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, said after the debacle in that state the BJP government may advance the Lok Sabha elections.

The BSP chief appointed RS Kushwaha as the Uttar Pradesh unit president in place of Ram Achal Rajbhar, who is now the BSP national general secretary and made coordinator for three states.

Two senior leaders Vir Singh and Jai Prakash Singh were made national coordinators, a first for the party.

She told party leaders to strengthen the BSP base among the 'sarv samaj' and begin focusing on Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh where assembly elections will be held before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Mayawati warned them against any design to split the party vote among Dalits, Adivasi, Backwards, Muslim and other religious minorities.

Earlier in the day, she slammed the Narendra Modi government, celebrating four years in office, for its "historic failure" to address issues like welfare unemployment.

Mayawati said she will continue to lead the Bahujan Samaj Party for the next 20 to 22 years, bluntly telling party leaders that nobody needed to dream of becoming the party president.

BSP chief Mayawati today announced changes in the party constitution, which bar her brother from continuing as its vice president while letting her remain the national president till she is too old for that responsibility. Mayawati said she will continue to lead the Bahujan Samaj Party for the next 20 to 22 years, bluntly telling party leaders that nobody needed to dream of becoming the party president. Addressing a meeting in Lucknow of party's national office bearers, she also announced major organisational changes and indicated that the BSP was willing to contest any coming election on its own if "respectable" seat-sharing arrangements could not be worked out. Mayawati said she had made some minor changes in the BSP constitution last year to involve her younger brother into party work on the request of party leaders. "It is unfortunate that there were reports in the media about the family being promoted in the organisation, like the Congress," she said. "But my brother himself said he will work only as a common worker in the interest of the party," she added. On the changes in the party constitution, she said that no close relative of the national president will hold any position in the party. The new national president will be appointed only after the serving leader is unable to continue with field duties because of old age, she said. Also, the new BSP national president will be appointed on the advice of the outgoing leader. While mentioning the changes in the BSP constitution, she referred to the constitution during BSP founder Kanshi Ram's time, when relatives were not allowed party posts. This had upset some of Kanshi Ram's relatives, she recalled. She told party leaders that though the BSP was discussing alliances with other parties for future elections, they should be prepared for any situation. "Although talks are underway for poll alliances in Uttar Pradesh and other states, you have to remain prepared for facing any situation in your respective states at all levels," she said. She said the stand of the party while entering into an alliance in any election has been to get a respectable share of the seats to contest. Otherwise, it sees fighting on its own as a better option, she said. Mayawati, who was part of the show of unity among opposition parties at the swearing-in ceremony of Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, said after the debacle in that state the BJP government may advance the Lok Sabha elections. The BSP chief appointed RS Kushwaha as the Uttar Pradesh unit president in place of Ram Achal Rajbhar, who is now the BSP national general secretary and made coordinator for three states. Two senior leaders Vir Singh and Jai Prakash Singh were made national coordinators, a first for the party. She told party leaders to strengthen the BSP base among the 'sarv samaj' and begin focusing on Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh where assembly elections will be held before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Mayawati warned them against any design to split the party vote among Dalits, Adivasi, Backwards, Muslim and other religious minorities. Earlier in the day, she slammed the Narendra Modi government, celebrating four years in office, for its "historic failure" to address issues like welfare unemployment.

I will remain BSP president for next 20 years until I get old: Mayawati

In an attempt to free the BSP of the blame of dynastic rule, party national president Mayawati on Saturday amended the party’s constitution barring close relatives of party president from holding organisational posts.

In April 2017, Mayawati appointed Anand Kumar party vice-president on condition that he would dedicate himself to the organisation and never contest polls or hold office of power.

Meanwhile, the national executive made several decisions to gear up the party for the challenging electoral battle at the national level.&nbsp

UP state chief Ramachal Rajbhar has been promoted as the national general secretary and made coordinator of three states.&nbsp

The new UP BSP president is BSP MLC RS Kushwaha. BSP UP legislature party leader Lalji Verma has been made coordinator of Chhattisgarh and Ashok Siddharth for South India. Vir Singh and Jai Prakash Singh have been appointed national coordinator.

UP state chief Ramachal Rajbhar has been promoted as the national general secretary and made coordinator of three states.

In an attempt to free the BSP of the blame of dynastic rule, party national president Mayawati on Saturday amended the party’s constitution barring close relatives of party president from holding organisational posts. In April 2017, Mayawati appointed Anand Kumar party vice-president on condition that he would dedicate himself to the organisation and never contest polls or hold office of power. Meanwhile, the national executive made several decisions to gear up the party for the challenging electoral battle at the national level. UP state chief Ramachal Rajbhar has been promoted as the national general secretary and made coordinator of three states. The new UP BSP president is BSP MLC RS Kushwaha. BSP UP legislature party leader Lalji Verma has been made coordinator of Chhattisgarh and Ashok Siddharth for South India. Vir Singh and Jai Prakash Singh have been appointed national coordinator.

Mayawati removes her brother from post of BSP vice-president

Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati on Saturday told her partymen that the stand of the party while entering into any alliance in any election has been to get a respectable share of the seats to contest. Otherwise, it sees fighting on its own as a better option, she added.&nbsp;

Though the BSP was discussing alliances with other parties for future polls in Uttar Pradesh and other states, they should be prepared for any situation, news agency PTI reported quoting the BSP leader as saying at the meeting of national-level officer bearers.

"Although talks are underway for poll alliances in Uttar Pradesh and other states, you have to remain prepared for facing any situation in your respective states at all levels," she said according to PTI.&nbsp;

Mayawati, who was part of the show of unity among opposition parties at the swearing-in ceremony of Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, said after the debacle in that state the BJP government may advance the Lok Sabha elections.

The BSP chief effected a major reshuffle within her party, appointing R S Kushwaha as the Uttar Pradesh unit president in place of Ram Achal Rajbhar who has now been appointed as the BSP national general secretary and made coordinator for three states.

But Mayawati made it clear that she would lead the BSP for the next 20 to 22 years, telling partymen that nobody needed to dream of becoming the party president.

The BSP president, who had come in for criticism after she made her younger brother Anand Kumar vice president, also announced changes in party constitution to check nepotism.

She said no close relatives of the national president will be given any position in the party in their lifetime.

(With PTI inputs) 
&nbsp;

The BSP chief effected a major reshuffle within her party, appointing R S Kushwaha as the Uttar Pradesh unit president in place of Ram Achal Rajbhar

Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati on Saturday told her partymen that the stand of the party while entering into any alliance in any election has been to get a respectable share of the seats to contest. Otherwise, it sees fighting on its own as a better option, she added. Though the BSP was discussing alliances with other parties for future polls in Uttar Pradesh and other states, they should be prepared for any situation, news agency PTI reported quoting the BSP leader as saying at the meeting of national-level officer bearers. "Although talks are underway for poll alliances in Uttar Pradesh and other states, you have to remain prepared for facing any situation in your respective states at all levels," she said according to PTI. Mayawati, who was part of the show of unity among opposition parties at the swearing-in ceremony of Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, said after the debacle in that state the BJP government may advance the Lok Sabha elections. The BSP chief effected a major reshuffle within her party, appointing R S Kushwaha as the Uttar Pradesh unit president in place of Ram Achal Rajbhar who has now been appointed as the BSP national general secretary and made coordinator for three states. But Mayawati made it clear that she would lead the BSP for the next 20 to 22 years, telling partymen that nobody needed to dream of becoming the party president. The BSP president, who had come in for criticism after she made her younger brother Anand Kumar vice president, also announced changes in party constitution to check nepotism. She said no close relatives of the national president will be given any position in the party in their lifetime. (With PTI inputs)

Mayawati tells partymen to be ready to fight elections solo

BSP chief Mayawati on Saturday termed the four years of the Narendra Modi-led government as "disappointing" and said the parting of ways by some of the NDA partners was its clear indication.

The Modi government completed four years in power today.

"NDA alliance partners are parting ways one by one and this proves that the four years of the BJP-led government have been most unsuccessful and disappointing at all levels," Mayawati said.

"This kind of exploitation of the poor, labourers, common people and women under the central government has never been seen before...Their 'chori aur seena jori' has also been unheard of in the past," the BSP chief said.

She had convened a meeting of her party office bearers later in the day.

"The BJP and PM's unfulfilled promises undermined the faith and effectiveness of this government," she said.

Their own people were not listening to the leaders and it was an indication that the countdown of the BJP government had started, Mayawati said.

The BSP chief claimed that the government had bowed down before the capitalists as a result of which the country's economy had suffered and the people were concerned whether their money was safe in banks or not.

She alleged that there was anarchy in all walks of life, which proved that the BJP's rule meant "jungle raj".

"It seems that they have given permission to their people to level all kind of unfounded allegations and indulge in illegal acts," she alleged.

"There had also been an unsuccessful attempt to hush up rape cases in Kathua and Unnao by the BJP, showing the reality of the party," Mayawati alleged.&nbsp;

The Modi government completed four years in power today.

BSP chief Mayawati on Saturday termed the four years of the Narendra Modi-led government as "disappointing" and said the parting of ways by some of the NDA partners was its clear indication. The Modi government completed four years in power today. "NDA alliance partners are parting ways one by one and this proves that the four years of the BJP-led government have been most unsuccessful and disappointing at all levels," Mayawati said. "This kind of exploitation of the poor, labourers, common people and women under the central government has never been seen before...Their 'chori aur seena jori' has also been unheard of in the past," the BSP chief said. She had convened a meeting of her party office bearers later in the day. "The BJP and PM's unfulfilled promises undermined the faith and effectiveness of this government," she said. Their own people were not listening to the leaders and it was an indication that the countdown of the BJP government had started, Mayawati said. The BSP chief claimed that the government had bowed down before the capitalists as a result of which the country's economy had suffered and the people were concerned whether their money was safe in banks or not. She alleged that there was anarchy in all walks of life, which proved that the BJP's rule meant "jungle raj". "It seems that they have given permission to their people to level all kind of unfounded allegations and indulge in illegal acts," she alleged. "There had also been an unsuccessful attempt to hush up rape cases in Kathua and Unnao by the BJP, showing the reality of the party," Mayawati alleged.

Four years of Modi government disappointing: Mayawati

BSP Supremo Mayawati and SP President Akhilesh Yadav – shared the stage for the first time in Karnataka at the swearing-in ceremony of Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Wednesday in Bengaluru.&nbsp;

<img alt="maya-akhil.PNG" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="577" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/maya-akhil.PNG" width="805" />

The two parties had forged an understanding during the bypolls in Gorakhpur and Phulpur in March and fought the Rajya Sabha polls together.

They have also confirmed that the alliance would continue till 2019 polls.

<img alt="Maya-akhilesh.PNG" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="571" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/Maya-akhilesh.PNG" width="815" />

SP and BSP are considered as arch-rivals in the state of Uttar Pradesh, and Mayawati shares a very bitter past with Akhilesh’s father, Mulayam Singh Yadav.

<img alt="Mayawati-Akhilesh-yadav.PNG" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="431" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/Mayawati-Akhilesh-yadav.PNG" width="770" />

After their win against the BJP in in Gorakhpur and Phulpur, the opposition in UP is also fighting the May 28 byelection in Kairana together. The SP and the BSP are backing the Rashtriya Lok Dal candidate in that Lok Sabha constituency.

Kumaraswamy’s swearing-in ceremony is being projected as a show of strength by non-BJP parties.&nbsp;

<img alt="oath-taking-ceremony.PNG" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/oath-taking-ceremony.PNG" width="770" />

(Picture courtesy: ANI)

SP and BSP are considered as arch-rivals in the state of Uttar Pradesh, and Mayawati shares a very bitter past with Akhilesh’s father, Mulayam Singh Yadav.

BSP Supremo Mayawati and SP President Akhilesh Yadav – shared the stage for the first time in Karnataka at the swearing-in ceremony of Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Wednesday in Bengaluru. The two parties had forged an understanding during the bypolls in Gorakhpur and Phulpur in March and fought the Rajya Sabha polls together. They have also confirmed that the alliance would continue till 2019 polls. SP and BSP are considered as arch-rivals in the state of Uttar Pradesh, and Mayawati shares a very bitter past with Akhilesh’s father, Mulayam Singh Yadav. After their win against the BJP in in Gorakhpur and Phulpur, the opposition in UP is also fighting the May 28 byelection in Kairana together. The SP and the BSP are backing the Rashtriya Lok Dal candidate in that Lok Sabha constituency. Kumaraswamy’s swearing-in ceremony is being projected as a show of strength by non-BJP parties. (Picture courtesy: ANI)

Pics: In a first, Akhilesh Yadav-Mayawati share stage at Kumaraswamy’s swearing-in ceremony

In a bid to perhaps outsmart the Supreme Court, BSP chief has converted her official accommodation into a memorial for late party supremo Kanshiram.&nbsp;

Instead of vacating her official residence at 13 A, Mall Avenue, Lucknow, Mayawati has reportedly gotten a signboard on the premises declaring it to be ‘Shri Kanshiram Ji Yaadgar Vishraam Sthal’.&nbsp;

Supreme Court has recently ordered former Uttar Pradesh chief ministers to vacate their official residences.

The Supreme Court had earlier this month said that former chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh cannot retain government accommodation after demitting office, observing that a chief minister was at par with a common man once his or her term ends.

The court was hearing a petition filed by NGO Lok Prahari, challenging the amendments made by the erstwhile Akhilesh Yadav government to the UP Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1981.

As per the notice served by the UP Government after Supreme Court’s order, six former CMs of UP, including Mayawati and Akhilesh, will have to vacate their government bungalows by the end of this month.

Though Mayawati is set to vacate her government bungalow situated at 13A Mall Avenue and is reportedly moving to a new address 9 Mall Avenue, which happens to be bang opposite to her house. But on Monday morning one board had come up at 13A Mall Avenue which read 'Kanshiram Yaadgar Vishram Sthal'.

Six former CMs of UP, including Mayawati and Akhilesh, will have to vacate their government bungalows by the end of this month.

In a bid to perhaps outsmart the Supreme Court, BSP chief has converted her official accommodation into a memorial for late party supremo Kanshiram. Instead of vacating her official residence at 13 A, Mall Avenue, Lucknow, Mayawati has reportedly gotten a signboard on the premises declaring it to be ‘Shri Kanshiram Ji Yaadgar Vishraam Sthal’. Supreme Court has recently ordered former Uttar Pradesh chief ministers to vacate their official residences. The Supreme Court had earlier this month said that former chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh cannot retain government accommodation after demitting office, observing that a chief minister was at par with a common man once his or her term ends. The court was hearing a petition filed by NGO Lok Prahari, challenging the amendments made by the erstwhile Akhilesh Yadav government to the UP Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1981. As per the notice served by the UP Government after Supreme Court’s order, six former CMs of UP, including Mayawati and Akhilesh, will have to vacate their government bungalows by the end of this month. Though Mayawati is set to vacate her government bungalow situated at 13A Mall Avenue and is reportedly moving to a new address 9 Mall Avenue, which happens to be bang opposite to her house. But on Monday morning one board had come up at 13A Mall Avenue which read 'Kanshiram Yaadgar Vishram Sthal'.

Mayawati converts govt bungalow into Kanshi Ram memorial as Supreme Court orders to vacate it

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Thursday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the party formed a government in Karnataka and termed the entire episode as a conspiracy to destroy the Constitution, according to news agency ANI.

Addressing the media here, Mayawati accused the BJP of misusing the government ever since they came to power at the Centre.

"It is a conspiracy to destroy the constitution made by Baba Saheb Ambedkar, since they (BJP) came to power they have been misusing government machinery, thereby attacking democracy," ANI reported quoting Mayawati.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, Yeddyurappa took oath as the 23rd chief minister of Karnataka after the Supreme Court early today morning decided not to put a stay on the swearing-in, while conducting a post-midnight hearing, wherein Congress and JD(S) pleaded for the same citing BJP`s inadequate strength in the assembly to stake claim at forming the state government.

Late last night, Congress and JD(S) challenged Karnataka Governor Vajubhai R. Vala`s decision in the top court to invite BJP to form the government even when the saffron party, with 105 MLAs, including one Independent MLA, is seven short of the halfway mark of 112.

They contended that they, with a total strength of 115 MLAs, are in a better position to form the government. Though Vala invited the BJP to form the government, he has given 15 days to the saffron party to prove its majority in the state assembly.&nbsp;

Mayawati accused the BJP of misusing the government ever since they came to power at the Centre.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Thursday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the party formed a government in Karnataka and termed the entire episode as a conspiracy to destroy the Constitution, according to news agency ANI. Addressing the media here, Mayawati accused the BJP of misusing the government ever since they came to power at the Centre. "It is a conspiracy to destroy the constitution made by Baba Saheb Ambedkar, since they (BJP) came to power they have been misusing government machinery, thereby attacking democracy," ANI reported quoting Mayawati. Earlier in the day, Yeddyurappa took oath as the 23rd chief minister of Karnataka after the Supreme Court early today morning decided not to put a stay on the swearing-in, while conducting a post-midnight hearing, wherein Congress and JD(S) pleaded for the same citing BJP`s inadequate strength in the assembly to stake claim at forming the state government. Late last night, Congress and JD(S) challenged Karnataka Governor Vajubhai R. Vala`s decision in the top court to invite BJP to form the government even when the saffron party, with 105 MLAs, including one Independent MLA, is seven short of the halfway mark of 112. They contended that they, with a total strength of 115 MLAs, are in a better position to form the government. Though Vala invited the BJP to form the government, he has given 15 days to the saffron party to prove its majority in the state assembly.

Mayawati accuses BJP of conspiring to destroy Constitution

Following controversy over the BJP’s Dalit outreach programmes in Uttar Pradesh, the BSP has decided to hold ‘chaupals’ or village meetings across the state to expose what is calls the “anti-Dalit face” of the saffron party.

“BSP leaders including coordinators and office bearers will be moving out to villages all over the state to hold chaupals to apprise all, especially the Dalits, about the anti-people and anti-Dalit steps being taken by the BJP government,” a senior BSP leader said.

“Dalits are angry over the manner in which a mockery is being made out by the Uttar Pradesh ministers visiting villages, taking their own food and water and showing to the world that they are dining in Dalit households,” he said, adding that their drama is getting exposed with every passing day.

“While one minister carries food and water with him and dines as if he is attending a feast, the other minister claims that they are spending nights in villages braving mosquito bites… these BJP leaders are only exposing their real mindset not only towards Dalits but also towards the villagers and their lifestyle.

“On our part, we will organise chaupals and interact with the villagers at the grass-roots level and apprise them of the reality of this government,” he told PTI, requesting anonymity.

“Our leaders will tell the people as to how the BJP’s so-called pro-Dalit stance is a farce and designed only for its petty electoral gains. BJP leaders are carrying out a drama of sharing meals with Dalits in their homes but the food that they take is brought from other places as they do not want to eat the meal prepared by a Dalit in his house,” he said.

Since BSP chief Mayawati is currently busy in Karnataka polls, the chaupal programme will take shape only next month, he said. The BSP leadership has already alerted its office bearers and coordinators to keep a close watch on the BJPs “sahbhoj” (community feast) programmes.

BSP men have also been asked to prepare a list of events where the BJP leaders have shown disrespect during their outreach programme by ordering food, crockery or water from outside or any of them making statements which hurt the sentiments of Dalits, he said.

The BSP will also take this opportunity to refresh the memory of Dalits on various cases of atrocities on them during the BJP government by recalling incidents during the Bharat bandh against the dilution of SC/ST Act and lynching of Dalits among others and how the government has been lax in taking action against the culprits, he added.

"Dalits are angry over the manner in which a mockery is being made out by the Uttar Pradesh ministers visiting villages, taking their own food and water and showing to the world that they are dining in Dalit households," a senior BSP leader said, adding that their drama is getting exposed with every passing day

Following controversy over the BJP’s Dalit outreach programmes in Uttar Pradesh, the BSP has decided to hold ‘chaupals’ or village meetings across the state to expose what is calls the “anti-Dalit face” of the saffron party. “BSP leaders including coordinators and office bearers will be moving out to villages all over the state to hold chaupals to apprise all, especially the Dalits, about the anti-people and anti-Dalit steps being taken by the BJP government,” a senior BSP leader said. “Dalits are angry over the manner in which a mockery is being made out by the Uttar Pradesh ministers visiting villages, taking their own food and water and showing to the world that they are dining in Dalit households,” he said, adding that their drama is getting exposed with every passing day. “While one minister carries food and water with him and dines as if he is attending a feast, the other minister claims that they are spending nights in villages braving mosquito bites… these BJP leaders are only exposing their real mindset not only towards Dalits but also towards the villagers and their lifestyle. “On our part, we will organise chaupals and interact with the villagers at the grass-roots level and apprise them of the reality of this government,” he told PTI, requesting anonymity. “Our leaders will tell the people as to how the BJP’s so-called pro-Dalit stance is a farce and designed only for its petty electoral gains. BJP leaders are carrying out a drama of sharing meals with Dalits in their homes but the food that they take is brought from other places as they do not want to eat the meal prepared by a Dalit in his house,” he said. Since BSP chief Mayawati is currently busy in Karnataka polls, the chaupal programme will take shape only next month, he said. The BSP leadership has already alerted its office bearers and coordinators to keep a close watch on the BJPs “sahbhoj” (community feast) programmes. BSP men have also been asked to prepare a list of events where the BJP leaders have shown disrespect during their outreach programme by ordering food, crockery or water from outside or any of them making statements which hurt the sentiments of Dalits, he said. The BSP will also take this opportunity to refresh the memory of Dalits on various cases of atrocities on them during the BJP government by recalling incidents during the Bharat bandh against the dilution of SC/ST Act and lynching of Dalits among others and how the government has been lax in taking action against the culprits, he added.

BSP decides to hold village meetings to expose BJP’s ‘anti-Dalit face’

Taking a dig at the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, spokesperson of the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit Rakesh Tripathi has termed the proposed visits of Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati to poll-bound Karnataka as "political tourism".

He, however, claimed that BJP workers and people in Karnataka want to have a glimpse of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his campaigning in different poll-bound states of the country is benefiting the party.

Alleging that both the SP and the BSP "thrive on caste politics", Tripathi said, "The election tours made to Karnataka by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati are simply political tourism."

"The main base and origin of both these parties is Uttar Pradesh. But, in this state their condition is miserable. Both of them are facing the worst times since their inception. They do not have any party organisation, base and mandate in Karnataka," he was quoted as saying in a statement.

The state BJP spokesperson claimed that the founding members of the BSP were deserting the party which is finding it tough to preserve its status as a national party.

Hitting out at the Samajwadi party, Tripathi said, "Ever since Akhilesh Yadav replaced his father (Mulayam Singh Yadav) as the SP president, the party has been weakened."

"The SP is a regional party. In Karnataka, it does not have any organisational structure. The tour of Akhilesh Yadav to Karnataka will prove to be a flop show like the one to Gujarat," the BJP leader said.

He claimed that Yogi Adityanath influenced the entire country after becoming the chief minister.

"This is the reason why there has been a continuous demand from various poll-bound states for Adityanath to campaign for BJP candidates," Tripathi said.

According to BJP sources, Adityanath will be seen in action, addressing as many as 35 rallies and road shows the saffron party has organised for him as the Nath sect, to which he belongs, wields considerable clout in coastal Karnataka.

As per the party's plans, the chief minister's hectic Karnataka tour will begin on May 3 and he will be there holding rallies daily between May 7 and 10, BJP spokesperson Shalabh Mani Tripathi told.

BSP supremo Mayawati, whose party has entered into a pact with former prime minister H D Deve Gowda's JD(S), has already started working in the state with her rallies starting April 25 from Mysuru.

She will be addressing a rally in Chitradurga today and Belagavi and Bidar on May 5-6 respectively. The BSP is contesting on 20 seats in Karnataka and is hoping to open an account there with the JD(S) support.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav will also be touring the state to champion his party's cause in those constituencies where SP candidate is in the fray.

According to a party spokesperson, the SP has fielded over two dozen candidates in Karnataka.

Polling in Karnataka will be held in a single phase on May 12 for all the 224 Assembly seats in the Congress-ruled state, including 36 reserved for the Scheduled Castes and 15 for the Scheduled Tribes.&nbsp

Hitting out at the Samajwadi party, Tripathi said, "Ever since Akhilesh Yadav replaced his father (Mulayam Singh Yadav) as the SP president, the party has been weakened."

Taking a dig at the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, spokesperson of the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit Rakesh Tripathi has termed the proposed visits of Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati to poll-bound Karnataka as "political tourism". He, however, claimed that BJP workers and people in Karnataka want to have a glimpse of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his campaigning in different poll-bound states of the country is benefiting the party. Alleging that both the SP and the BSP "thrive on caste politics", Tripathi said, "The election tours made to Karnataka by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati are simply political tourism." "The main base and origin of both these parties is Uttar Pradesh. But, in this state their condition is miserable. Both of them are facing the worst times since their inception. They do not have any party organisation, base and mandate in Karnataka," he was quoted as saying in a statement. The state BJP spokesperson claimed that the founding members of the BSP were deserting the party which is finding it tough to preserve its status as a national party. Hitting out at the Samajwadi party, Tripathi said, "Ever since Akhilesh Yadav replaced his father (Mulayam Singh Yadav) as the SP president, the party has been weakened." "The SP is a regional party. In Karnataka, it does not have any organisational structure. The tour of Akhilesh Yadav to Karnataka will prove to be a flop show like the one to Gujarat," the BJP leader said. He claimed that Yogi Adityanath influenced the entire country after becoming the chief minister. "This is the reason why there has been a continuous demand from various poll-bound states for Adityanath to campaign for BJP candidates," Tripathi said. According to BJP sources, Adityanath will be seen in action, addressing as many as 35 rallies and road shows the saffron party has organised for him as the Nath sect, to which he belongs, wields considerable clout in coastal Karnataka. As per the party's plans, the chief minister's hectic Karnataka tour will begin on May 3 and he will be there holding rallies daily between May 7 and 10, BJP spokesperson Shalabh Mani Tripathi told. BSP supremo Mayawati, whose party has entered into a pact with former prime minister H D Deve Gowda's JD(S), has already started working in the state with her rallies starting April 25 from Mysuru. She will be addressing a rally in Chitradurga today and Belagavi and Bidar on May 5-6 respectively. The BSP is contesting on 20 seats in Karnataka and is hoping to open an account there with the JD(S) support. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav will also be touring the state to champion his party's cause in those constituencies where SP candidate is in the fray. According to a party spokesperson, the SP has fielded over two dozen candidates in Karnataka. Polling in Karnataka will be held in a single phase on May 12 for all the 224 Assembly seats in the Congress-ruled state, including 36 reserved for the Scheduled Castes and 15 for the Scheduled Tribes.

BJP terms Akhilesh, Mayawati's proposed Karnataka visit 'political tourism'

2019 Lok Sabha elections is less likely to be fought on economic promise or earned laurels but on the issue of social justice on caste lines. This pattern was broken during 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The prominent theme was Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas (collective efforts, inclusive growth) and PM Modi's viral slogan Na Khaunga Na Khane Dunga (will not engage in corruption myself, nor allow others). It also witnessed split in Dalit vote in North India leading to BJP sweeping all the reserved seats in Uttar Pradesh.

This trend continued well into the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections leading to a tsunami in BJP's favour. Despite such good showing, the backward caste realignment has found a firm footing in the opposition's politics. There is one main factor for its re-emergence. 
&nbsp 
First and foremost reason is the internal contradiction within Hinduism. At the level of practice, the limit of tolerance fails both socially and culturally at the door of a Dalit family. This contradiction was surmounted only because of Narendra Modi's massive appeal in 2014 but subsequent cultural positions of upper caste and sanskritised OBC reopened the schism. 
&nbsp 
Upper caste and OBC led political Hindutva met its match with backward caste mobilisation in Bihar. Though the point in case is that in absence of gathbandhan (tie-up) between OBC and backward castes, BJP swept UP and did exceptionally well in reserved constituencies as well. 
&nbsp 
It is this realisation that Congress in past two years has altered it politics from Congress Ka Haath Aam Aadmi Ki Saath (Congress' hand is with the common man) to strong backward caste, Dalit oriented politics. It peppers its Dalit campaign with strong Hindu symbols to counter the 'foreign' character of Rahul Gandhi's leadership. The regional parties too have come together out of an existential crisis. 
&nbsp 
Apart from minorities, Dalits too were at the receiving end of the cow protection campaign. It created schism within the concept of the larger Hindu family. Multiple cases across North India were reported where Dalits became target of the lynch mobs because there work involved cattle skinning and trading which stood opposed to the upper caste and OBC led moral eco-system of the new Hindutva brigade. 
&nbsp 
Lastly, it is the only issue the BJP government has been politically defensive about. Whether it was Rohit Vemula controversy, or violence against Dalit community in Gujarat or anti-reservation agitation - it reinforces old identity politics which BJP has been trying to subsume under the rubric of cultural nationalism. The attempt of BJP has been to consume caste identities under one monolithic identity of a Hindu but inadvertently, old identities persist as caste remains integral to practiced Hinduism which manifests itself in forms of marriage, death, rituals and feasting. It for this reason that BJP has paid special focus on contribution of BR Ambedkar and common dining with Dalit communities. But original ideology has its limitation. It is for this reason that post-Tripura victory saw desecration of statues of Ambedkar. 
&nbsp 
The same consolidation seem to be working in Karnataka which has not allowed BJP campaign to take off. 
&nbsp 
Uttar Pradesh was an example in case where undivided Hindu vote created a BJP tsunami. Phoolpur and Gorakhpur results on the other hand show that backward caste alignment amongst OBCs and Dalits have the potential to create a counter narrative. What is debatable is as to which identity politics is better - India divided on backward-forward politics, or between one majority and various minorities? The whole idea is debatable but what it does is that it takes Indian politics back to Mandal vs Kamandal polarisation. 
&nbsp 
The only difference is that it took couple of years for BSP and SP to sink differences to defeat BJP. The political compulsion and strength of BJP was the reason behind it. The result is there for everyone to see. Only thing is whether history will repeat itself. Such political configuration have defeated Congress and BJP in past but none could complete a term which includes alliance between then Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati. So, whoever wins Lok Sabha elections on 2019, old identity politics is back in the game.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

2019 Lok Sabha elections is less likely to be fought on economic promise or earned laurels but on the issue of social justice on caste lines.

2019 Lok Sabha elections is less likely to be fought on economic promise or earned laurels but on the issue of social justice on caste lines. This pattern was broken during 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The prominent theme was Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas (collective efforts, inclusive growth) and PM Modi's viral slogan Na Khaunga Na Khane Dunga (will not engage in corruption myself, nor allow others). It also witnessed split in Dalit vote in North India leading to BJP sweeping all the reserved seats in Uttar Pradesh. This trend continued well into the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections leading to a tsunami in BJP's favour. Despite such good showing, the backward caste realignment has found a firm footing in the opposition's politics. There is one main factor for its re-emergence. First and foremost reason is the internal contradiction within Hinduism. At the level of practice, the limit of tolerance fails both socially and culturally at the door of a Dalit family. This contradiction was surmounted only because of Narendra Modi's massive appeal in 2014 but subsequent cultural positions of upper caste and sanskritised OBC reopened the schism. Upper caste and OBC led political Hindutva met its match with backward caste mobilisation in Bihar. Though the point in case is that in absence of gathbandhan (tie-up) between OBC and backward castes, BJP swept UP and did exceptionally well in reserved constituencies as well. It is this realisation that Congress in past two years has altered it politics from Congress Ka Haath Aam Aadmi Ki Saath (Congress' hand is with the common man) to strong backward caste, Dalit oriented politics. It peppers its Dalit campaign with strong Hindu symbols to counter the 'foreign' character of Rahul Gandhi's leadership. The regional parties too have come together out of an existential crisis. Apart from minorities, Dalits too were at the receiving end of the cow protection campaign. It created schism within the concept of the larger Hindu family. Multiple cases across North India were reported where Dalits became target of the lynch mobs because there work involved cattle skinning and trading which stood opposed to the upper caste and OBC led moral eco-system of the new Hindutva brigade. Lastly, it is the only issue the BJP government has been politically defensive about. Whether it was Rohit Vemula controversy, or violence against Dalit community in Gujarat or anti-reservation agitation - it reinforces old identity politics which BJP has been trying to subsume under the rubric of cultural nationalism. The attempt of BJP has been to consume caste identities under one monolithic identity of a Hindu but inadvertently, old identities persist as caste remains integral to practiced Hinduism which manifests itself in forms of marriage, death, rituals and feasting. It for this reason that BJP has paid special focus on contribution of BR Ambedkar and common dining with Dalit communities. But original ideology has its limitation. It is for this reason that post-Tripura victory saw desecration of statues of Ambedkar. The same consolidation seem to be working in Karnataka which has not allowed BJP campaign to take off. Uttar Pradesh was an example in case where undivided Hindu vote created a BJP tsunami. Phoolpur and Gorakhpur results on the other hand show that backward caste alignment amongst OBCs and Dalits have the potential to create a counter narrative. What is debatable is as to which identity politics is better - India divided on backward-forward politics, or between one majority and various minorities? The whole idea is debatable but what it does is that it takes Indian politics back to Mandal vs Kamandal polarisation. The only difference is that it took couple of years for BSP and SP to sink differences to defeat BJP. The political compulsion and strength of BJP was the reason behind it. The result is there for everyone to see. Only thing is whether history will repeat itself. Such political configuration have defeated Congress and BJP in past but none could complete a term which includes alliance between then Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati. So, whoever wins Lok Sabha elections on 2019, old identity politics is back in the game. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Mandal vs Kamandal version 2.0 likely in 2019 polls

BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday hailed the Bharat bandh protest that swept across north India, with Dalits protesting against a recent Supreme Court order on the SC/ST, saying that the protests were successful.&nbsp;

Mayawati also claimed that the protests has "left the BJP scared&nbsp;and authorities in the BJP ruled states have started atrocities towards Dalits." She said that she "trusted that the Dalit community will not forgive the&nbsp;selfish and corrupt people of the BJP Dalit MP's."

Around 400 Dalits were arrested during the violence that erupted during the protests against a proposed review of the SC/ST Act after which&nbsp;Mayawati&nbsp;warned the government against harassment of Dalits in the garb of maintaining law and order.

Protests were organised across north India by Dalit outfits against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BharatBandh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BharatBandh</a> protest was largely successful. This has left the BJP scared and authorities in the BJP ruled states have started atrocities towards dalits. Many dalits and members of their families are being arrested : BSP Chief Mayawati <a href="https://t.co/WHRIWnjUIQ">pic.twitter.com/WHRIWnjUIQ</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/982848876859273216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Mujhe bharosa hai ki desh ke swabhimaani dalit samaaj ke log swaarthi aur bekau maansikta wale sansadon (BJP dalit MPs) ko maaf karne wale nahi hain: BSP Chief Mayawati <a href="https://t.co/8rUZysxUvK">pic.twitter.com/8rUZysxUvK</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/982852694397382656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Moreover,&nbsp;BJP parliamentarian <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/-dalit-community-being-tortured-during-bharat-bandh-bjp-lawmaker-udit-raj-129068">Udit Raj </a>on Saturday alleged that members of the Dalit community are "tortured" in various parts of the country after violence broke out during the 'Bharat Bandh' earlier this week.

Raj said on Sunday that "on April 2, Dalit agitation was held at a massive scale. The point of worry is that after the agitation those who were part of the agitation are being targeted and false cases are being slapped on them and also being beaten, this is a cause of concern."

He further appealed "to Party and government that they must look into this immediately. I am not one of those Dalit leaders and party members who'll keep quiet in my own interest, not telling the Party at right time would have been a selfish act. Two-and-a-half years ago I said that Dalits are getting angry."&nbsp;

The Supreme Court order bans the automatic arrest and filing of cases against people accused under the act. The court had wanted to put a stop to frivolous allegations, but the Dalits view the move as a watering down of the act. India's Dalit community still faces massive discrimination and violence at the hands of India's upper caste and OBC communities.

​​​​​​

&nbsp;

Protests were organised across north India by Dalit outfits against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act

BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday hailed the Bharat bandh protest that swept across north India, with Dalits protesting against a recent Supreme Court order on the SC/ST, saying that the protests were successful. Mayawati also claimed that the protests has "left the BJP scared and authorities in the BJP ruled states have started atrocities towards Dalits." She said that she "trusted that the Dalit community will not forgive the selfish and corrupt people of the BJP Dalit MP's." Around 400 Dalits were arrested during the violence that erupted during the protests against a proposed review of the SC/ST Act after which Mayawati warned the government against harassment of Dalits in the garb of maintaining law and order. Protests were organised across north India by Dalit outfits against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. #BharatBandh protest was largely successful. This has left the BJP scared and authorities in the BJP ruled states have started atrocities towards dalits. Many dalits and members of their families are being arrested : BSP Chief Mayawati pic.twitter.com/WHRIWnjUIQ — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 8, 2018 × Mujhe bharosa hai ki desh ke swabhimaani dalit samaaj ke log swaarthi aur bekau maansikta wale sansadon (BJP dalit MPs) ko maaf karne wale nahi hain: BSP Chief Mayawati pic.twitter.com/8rUZysxUvK — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 8, 2018 × Moreover, BJP parliamentarian Udit Raj on Saturday alleged that members of the Dalit community are "tortured" in various parts of the country after violence broke out during the 'Bharat Bandh' earlier this week. Raj said on Sunday that "on April 2, Dalit agitation was held at a massive scale. The point of worry is that after the agitation those who were part of the agitation are being targeted and false cases are being slapped on them and also being beaten, this is a cause of concern." He further appealed "to Party and government that they must look into this immediately. I am not one of those Dalit leaders and party members who'll keep quiet in my own interest, not telling the Party at right time would have been a selfish act. Two-and-a-half years ago I said that Dalits are getting angry." The Supreme Court order bans the automatic arrest and filing of cases against people accused under the act. The court had wanted to put a stop to frivolous allegations, but the Dalits view the move as a watering down of the act. India's Dalit community still faces massive discrimination and violence at the hands of India's upper caste and OBC communities.

Bharat Bandh protests have left BJP scared: BSP supremo Mayawati

After its new-found bonhomie with the BSP won it two Lok sabha seats in recent bypolls in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party is set to celebrate Dr Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14 in a big way.

The party which had stayed content with celebrating anniversaries of socialist idealogues like Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia and Janeshwar Misra so far has asked all its district units to celebrate Ambedkar Jayanti at the district party headquarters or any public place to mark the day.

Though the Samajwadi Party's move has not gone down well with the BJP, which has termed it a big drama, political analyst Ramesh Dixit said it is aimed at further consolidating the relations.

"All the forces of social justice are coming together on one platform... This move is aimed at consolidating the friendship for the cause of defeating rivals," Dixit said, who retired as head of the political science department of Lucknow University.

It is also a move to claim the legacy of social justice espoused by these parties which was being grabbed by the BJP which has had no connection with them," he said.

Samajwadi Party which had been holding customary functions on Ambedkar Jayanti has this time asked its partymen to recall the services of Babasaheb as also his resolve taken while framing the Constitution.

SP's state unit president Party Naresh Uttam said that on 127th anniversary of Babasaheb this April 14, all district and city unit heads have been asked to pay homage and recall his immense contribution to the country and emancipation of the downtrodden.

This will be perhaps the first time that a conscious effort is being made by the SP to ensure celebrations on Dr Ambedkar Jayanti on a big scale.

The BSP had been organising Ambedkar Jayanti annually on a big scale with its president Mayawati leading partymen in paying homage to the Dalit icon.

There are, however, no plans yet to hold any joint SP-BSP programmes on the day.

It is wrong to say that we will be celebrating Ambedkar Jayanti for the first time. The party has always paid tributes to Dr Ambedkar on his birth and death anniversary and we hold him in high esteem," SP spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary said.

A senior SP leader on condition of anonymity said that party will try to remove doubts in the minds, if any, that its ideology was at variance with that of BSP and reach out to all sections of society.

Before the coming Lok Sabha elections early next year, the Ambedkar Jayanti will give a chance to increase the interaction and coordination between the cadres of both the parties in order to develop better understanding, he said.

It is a fact that the success of any alliance of these two major players in the state depend on how Dalits and OBCs, especially Yadavs, come to terms with each other, he said.

BJP spokesman Rakesh Tripathi however said, "It is a big drama? ever since the SP has made 'elephant' (BSP's election symbol) its friend, it is worried for the Dalits but the people of Uttar Pradesh have not forgotten how Dalits were at the receiving end on the very day when Akhilesh Yadav had become the chief minister in 2012 and how their houses and hamlets were set ablaze."

The understanding between the SP and the BSP in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha bye-elections stopped the victory march of the BJP, which along with its allies had bagged 73 of the 80 parliamentary seats in the state.

While Gorakhpur is the home turf of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Phulpur was represented by his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya and defeats in both the places at the hands of the SP caused considerable embarrassment to the saffron party ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, though the BJP took a sweet revenge soon afterwards by defeating the BSP candidate in the recent Rajya Sabha biennial elections in the state.

Samajwadi Party which had been holding customary functions on Ambedkar Jayanti has this time asked its partymen to recall the services of Babasaheb as also his resolve taken while framing the Constitution.

After its new-found bonhomie with the BSP won it two Lok sabha seats in recent bypolls in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party is set to celebrate Dr Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14 in a big way. The party which had stayed content with celebrating anniversaries of socialist idealogues like Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia and Janeshwar Misra so far has asked all its district units to celebrate Ambedkar Jayanti at the district party headquarters or any public place to mark the day. Though the Samajwadi Party's move has not gone down well with the BJP, which has termed it a big drama, political analyst Ramesh Dixit said it is aimed at further consolidating the relations. "All the forces of social justice are coming together on one platform... This move is aimed at consolidating the friendship for the cause of defeating rivals," Dixit said, who retired as head of the political science department of Lucknow University. It is also a move to claim the legacy of social justice espoused by these parties which was being grabbed by the BJP which has had no connection with them," he said. Samajwadi Party which had been holding customary functions on Ambedkar Jayanti has this time asked its partymen to recall the services of Babasaheb as also his resolve taken while framing the Constitution. SP's state unit president Party Naresh Uttam said that on 127th anniversary of Babasaheb this April 14, all district and city unit heads have been asked to pay homage and recall his immense contribution to the country and emancipation of the downtrodden. This will be perhaps the first time that a conscious effort is being made by the SP to ensure celebrations on Dr Ambedkar Jayanti on a big scale. The BSP had been organising Ambedkar Jayanti annually on a big scale with its president Mayawati leading partymen in paying homage to the Dalit icon. There are, however, no plans yet to hold any joint SP-BSP programmes on the day. It is wrong to say that we will be celebrating Ambedkar Jayanti for the first time. The party has always paid tributes to Dr Ambedkar on his birth and death anniversary and we hold him in high esteem," SP spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary said. A senior SP leader on condition of anonymity said that party will try to remove doubts in the minds, if any, that its ideology was at variance with that of BSP and reach out to all sections of society. Before the coming Lok Sabha elections early next year, the Ambedkar Jayanti will give a chance to increase the interaction and coordination between the cadres of both the parties in order to develop better understanding, he said. It is a fact that the success of any alliance of these two major players in the state depend on how Dalits and OBCs, especially Yadavs, come to terms with each other, he said. BJP spokesman Rakesh Tripathi however said, "It is a big drama? ever since the SP has made 'elephant' (BSP's election symbol) its friend, it is worried for the Dalits but the people of Uttar Pradesh have not forgotten how Dalits were at the receiving end on the very day when Akhilesh Yadav had become the chief minister in 2012 and how their houses and hamlets were set ablaze." The understanding between the SP and the BSP in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha bye-elections stopped the victory march of the BJP, which along with its allies had bagged 73 of the 80 parliamentary seats in the state. While Gorakhpur is the home turf of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Phulpur was represented by his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya and defeats in both the places at the hands of the SP caused considerable embarrassment to the saffron party ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, though the BJP took a sweet revenge soon afterwards by defeating the BSP candidate in the recent Rajya Sabha biennial elections in the state.

SP to celebrate Ambedkar Jayanti after friendship with Mayawati

Speaking on the "Bharat bandh" protest organised by the Dalit&nbspoutfits, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has said that though she supports the protest against the Supreme Court's order on SC/ST Act, she is against the violence spread by the people.

She said, "I support the protest against the SC/ST Act. I have got to know that some people spread violence during the protests, I strongly condemn it. Our party is not behind the violence during the protests".

She also added that strict action should be taken against those who were spreading violence during the protests.

&nbsp

I support the protest against the SC/ST Act. I have got to know that some people spread violence during the protests, I strongly condemn it. Our party is not behind the violence during the protests: BSP Chief Mayawati <a href="https://t.co/SZ4xrvG13k">pic.twitter.com/SZ4xrvG13k</a>

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&nbsp

Protest was staged across the northern part of the country by Dalit outfits against the Supreme Court's order on SC/ST Act.

About four people have died and several others were injured in the protest in Madhya Pradesh.

The protests were the outcome of the Supreme Court's March 20 order that had diluted certain provisions of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, in a bid to protect 'honest' public servants discharging bona fide duties from being blackmailed with false cases under the Act.

The verdict is being widely criticised by the Dalits and the Opposition, who claim that dilution of the Act will lead to more discrimination and crimes against the backward community.&nbsp

&nbsp

She said, 'I support the protest against the SC/ST Act. I have got to know that some people spread violence during the protests, I strongly condemn it. Our party is not behind the violence during the protests'

Speaking on the "Bharat bandh" protest organised by the Dalit&nbspoutfits, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has said that though she supports the protest against the Supreme Court's order on SC/ST Act, she is against the violence spread by the people. She said, "I support the protest against the SC/ST Act. I have got to know that some people spread violence during the protests, I strongly condemn it. Our party is not behind the violence during the protests". She also added that strict action should be taken against those who were spreading violence during the protests. I support the protest against the SC/ST Act. I have got to know that some people spread violence during the protests, I strongly condemn it. Our party is not behind the violence during the protests: BSP Chief Mayawati pic.twitter.com/SZ4xrvG13k — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2018 × Protest was staged across the northern part of the country by Dalit outfits against the Supreme Court's order on SC/ST Act. About four people have died and several others were injured in the protest in Madhya Pradesh. The protests were the outcome of the Supreme Court's March 20 order that had diluted certain provisions of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, in a bid to protect 'honest' public servants discharging bona fide duties from being blackmailed with false cases under the Act. The verdict is being widely criticised by the Dalits and the Opposition, who claim that dilution of the Act will lead to more discrimination and crimes against the backward community.

Support protests against court order on SC/ST Act, but not violence: Mayawati

The Uttar Pradesh police have detained five people in connection with an attack on suspended BSP MLA Anil Singh's brother Dilip Singh.

Dilip Singh and his family members were allegedly thrashed by unknown miscreants at gunpoint in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao on Sunday.The miscreants involved had fled the spot after the attack.

The police have detained five people for questioning. 

In the recent Rajya Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh, Anil Singh went against his party to vote for the BJP.

Following which Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati suspended him after allegations of cross-voting.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">BSP MLA Anil Singh&#39s brother Dilip Singh & his family allegedly thrashed by car-borne miscreants at gunpoint in Unnao. Accused fled the spot&mdash ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/977964083562647552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Dilip Singh and his family members were allegedly thrashed by unknown miscreants at gunpoint in Uttar Pradesh`s Unnao on Sunday.The miscreants involved had fled the spot after the attack

The Uttar Pradesh police have detained five people in connection with an attack on suspended BSP MLA Anil Singh's brother Dilip Singh. Dilip Singh and his family members were allegedly thrashed by unknown miscreants at gunpoint in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao on Sunday.The miscreants involved had fled the spot after the attack. The police have detained five people for questioning. In the recent Rajya Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh, Anil Singh went against his party to vote for the BJP. Following which Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati suspended him after allegations of cross-voting. BSP MLA Anil Singh's brother Dilip Singh & his family allegedly thrashed by car-borne miscreants at gunpoint in Unnao. Accused fled the spot &mdash ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 25, 2018

Suspended BSP MLA Anil Singh's brother attacked, 5 detained

The Uttar Pradesh police have detained five people in connection with an attack on suspended&nbsp<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajya-sabha-polls-in-major-setback-to-mayawati-bsp-mla-votes-for-bjp-36829" target="_blank">BSP MLA Anil Singh'</a>s brother Dilip Singh.

Dilip Singh and his family members were allegedly thrashed by unknown miscreants at gunpoint in Uttar Pradesh's&nbspUnnao on Sunday.The miscreants involved had fled the spot after the attack.

The police have detained five people for questioning.&nbsp

In the recent Rajya Sabha&nbsppolls in Uttar Pradesh, Anil Singh went against his party to vote for the BJP.

Following which&nbsp<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mayawati-suspends-anil-singh-over-rajya-sabha-cross-voting-36939" target="_blank">Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati suspended him&nbsp</a>after allegations of cross-voting.

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BSP MLA Anil Singh's brother Dilip Singh & his family allegedly thrashed by car-borne miscreants at gunpoint in Unnao. Accused fled the spot
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/977964083562647552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp

The Uttar Pradesh police have detained five people in connection with an attack on suspended BSP MLA Anil Singh's brother Dilip Singh. Dilip Singh and his family members were allegedly thrashed by unknown miscreants at gunpoint in Uttar Pradesh's&nbspUnnao on Sunday.The miscreants involved had fled the spot after the attack. The police have detained five people for questioning. In the recent Rajya Sabha&nbsppolls in Uttar Pradesh, Anil Singh went against his party to vote for the BJP. Following which Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati suspended him after allegations of cross-voting. BSP MLA Anil Singh's brother Dilip Singh & his family allegedly thrashed by car-borne miscreants at gunpoint in Unnao. Accused fled the spot — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 25, 2018 ×

The BJP may have wrested an extra seat in the recent Rajya Sabha polls but the victory will backfire on the saffron party as its &quot;anti-Dalit face stood exposed&quot; while the SP-BSP unity got strengthened, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav claimed today.

In an interview to PTI, Akhilesh Yadav also said his wife Dimple Yadav may not contest the next Lok Sabha elections to blunt the nepotism charge that political opponents hurl at Samajwadi Party (SP), which he leads. Dimple Yadav is currently the Lok Sabha MP from Kannauj.

The SP chief also alleged that law and order had collapsed during the present dispensation in UP while &quot;political encounters&quot; were being staged. Those involved will have to face a probe sooner or later, he warned.

The SP will exploit to the hilt &quot;the BJP&#39;s conspiracy against a Dalit&quot; during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said today.

He was referring to BJP nominee Anil Agrawal edging out BSP&#39;s Bhimrao Ambedkar in a nail-biting contest earlier this week.

&quot;The victory of the BJP on the ninth seat, contested by the saffron party with the help of money power, has given the SP an opportunity to expose the communal outfit&#39;s anti-Dalit face. Because of the conspiracy hatched by the BJP against a Dalit getting elected, SP-BSP unity has got strengthened all the more for the (2019) Lok Sabha polls,&quot; Akhilesh Yadav alleged.

The real character of the BJP, which &quot;misused money and power against the poor&quot;, stood exposed in the recent Rajya Sabha polls, he claimed.

The SP chief, who cancelled a function to felicitate party leader Jaya Bachchan on getting re-elected to the Rajya Sabha, felt the defeat of the Dalit candidate would cement his party&#39;s relations with Mayawati-led BSP.

Terming the victory of SP candidates in Lok Sabha by-polls in seats earlier held by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya as a &quot;big&quot; achievement, Akhilesh Yadav claimed a message had gone across the country that the BJP can be defeated in 2019.

&quot;I term the victories in by-polls as big ones because it was not just our victory but also the defeat of the CM and the deputy CM. Yogi ji, who was campaigning all over the country for the BJP could not save his own turf. It has sent a message all over the country and instilled confidence among people and workers that if the BJP can be defeated in their (leaders&#39;) constituencies, the result can be replicated all over,&quot; he said.

I thank Mayawati ji for her support, he added.

The BJP lost the by-polls in Gorakhpur, the bastion of the chief minister, and Phulpur, earlier held by the deputy chief minister.

Asked about his party&#39;s strategy for the 2019 polls, Akhilesh Yadav said besides booth management, party workers have been asked to reach all villages and interact with people.

&quot;I, our leaders and our cadre will go everywhere. We will apprise the people of the works initiated during my regime and ask them to compare them with what is going on in the BJP regime. The BJP had made a number of promises but fulfilled none. The anger of people are palpable and they have shown it in the by-polls,&quot; he said.

On the BJP&#39;s argument that voting percentage in the Lok Sabha by-polls was less, Akhilesh Yadav said, &quot;Had more voters come out, our victory margin would have been bigger. They (BJP) misled people and won elections and then they could not follow what they promised.&quot;

The SP chief also announced his wife Dimple Yadav will not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. 
 
&quot;We have decided, she will not contest this time as we are charged with &#39;pariwarwad&#39; (nepotism). BJP leaders like Rajnath Singh, Kalyan Singh, Raman Singh, Shivraj Chauhan are indulging in nepotism. Members of their family are in politics. My wife is not contesting...They (BJP) too should also set an example. If they don&#39;t do so and only make allegations against us, I can also change my mind,&quot; he said.

Asked about a future alliance with the Congress, he said the picture will become clear when polls come near.

&quot;My relations with the Congress are good and will remain so. It is a national party while we are strong here in the state. The preparations for stitching together an alliance are on. The leader will be decided later at an opportune time,&quot; the SP chief said.

On how his father Mulayam Singh Yadav felt after Lok Sabha bypoll victories, Akhilesh Yadav said, &quot;He was very happy that youths were elected. He blessed us all.&quot;

Akhilesh Yadav attacked Yogi Adityanath&#39;s statement that &quot;he did not celebrate Eid&quot; and said, &quot;I myself celebrate all festivals and observe nine-day fast during Navratra. My wife (Dimple) remains on fast on Thursdays,&quot; he said.

The former UP chief minister alleged law and order had collapsed under the BJP regime. 
 
&quot;They are doing encounters. But these are political encounters. And I want to tell all those involved that they will have to face probe now or later. They cannot get away with it. The BJP is damaging fabric of the society by spreading communalism and casteism,&quot; he remarked.

On RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Akhilesh Yadav said, &quot;He is not only my relative but a big leader, who had kept communal forces at bay in Bihar. I had sent Kironmay Nanda to meet him recently.&quot;&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The BJP may have wrested an extra seat in the recent Rajya Sabha polls but the victory will backfire on the saffron party as its 'anti-Dalit face stood exposed' while the SP-BSP unity got strengthened, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav claimed today

The BJP may have wrested an extra seat in the recent Rajya Sabha polls but the victory will backfire on the saffron party as its "anti-Dalit face stood exposed" while the SP-BSP unity got strengthened, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav claimed today. In an interview to PTI, Akhilesh Yadav also said his wife Dimple Yadav may not contest the next Lok Sabha elections to blunt the nepotism charge that political opponents hurl at Samajwadi Party (SP), which he leads. Dimple Yadav is currently the Lok Sabha MP from Kannauj. The SP chief also alleged that law and order had collapsed during the present dispensation in UP while "political encounters" were being staged. Those involved will have to face a probe sooner or later, he warned. The SP will exploit to the hilt "the BJP's conspiracy against a Dalit" during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said today. He was referring to BJP nominee Anil Agrawal edging out BSP's Bhimrao Ambedkar in a nail-biting contest earlier this week. "The victory of the BJP on the ninth seat, contested by the saffron party with the help of money power, has given the SP an opportunity to expose the communal outfit's anti-Dalit face. Because of the conspiracy hatched by the BJP against a Dalit getting elected, SP-BSP unity has got strengthened all the more for the (2019) Lok Sabha polls," Akhilesh Yadav alleged. The real character of the BJP, which "misused money and power against the poor", stood exposed in the recent Rajya Sabha polls, he claimed. The SP chief, who cancelled a function to felicitate party leader Jaya Bachchan on getting re-elected to the Rajya Sabha, felt the defeat of the Dalit candidate would cement his party's relations with Mayawati-led BSP. Terming the victory of SP candidates in Lok Sabha by-polls in seats earlier held by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya as a "big" achievement, Akhilesh Yadav claimed a message had gone across the country that the BJP can be defeated in 2019. "I term the victories in by-polls as big ones because it was not just our victory but also the defeat of the CM and the deputy CM. Yogi ji, who was campaigning all over the country for the BJP could not save his own turf. It has sent a message all over the country and instilled confidence among people and workers that if the BJP can be defeated in their (leaders') constituencies, the result can be replicated all over," he said. I thank Mayawati ji for her support, he added. The BJP lost the by-polls in Gorakhpur, the bastion of the chief minister, and Phulpur, earlier held by the deputy chief minister. Asked about his party's strategy for the 2019 polls, Akhilesh Yadav said besides booth management, party workers have been asked to reach all villages and interact with people. "I, our leaders and our cadre will go everywhere. We will apprise the people of the works initiated during my regime and ask them to compare them with what is going on in the BJP regime. The BJP had made a number of promises but fulfilled none. The anger of people are palpable and they have shown it in the by-polls," he said. On the BJP's argument that voting percentage in the Lok Sabha by-polls was less, Akhilesh Yadav said, "Had more voters come out, our victory margin would have been bigger. They (BJP) misled people and won elections and then they could not follow what they promised." The SP chief also announced his wife Dimple Yadav will not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "We have decided, she will not contest this time as we are charged with 'pariwarwad' (nepotism). BJP leaders like Rajnath Singh, Kalyan Singh, Raman Singh, Shivraj Chauhan are indulging in nepotism. Members of their family are in politics. My wife is not contesting...They (BJP) too should also set an example. If they don't do so and only make allegations against us, I can also change my mind," he said. Asked about a future alliance with the Congress, he said the picture will become clear when polls come near. "My relations with the Congress are good and will remain so. It is a national party while we are strong here in the state. The preparations for stitching together an alliance are on. The leader will be decided later at an opportune time," the SP chief said. On how his father Mulayam Singh Yadav felt after Lok Sabha bypoll victories, Akhilesh Yadav said, "He was very happy that youths were elected. He blessed us all." Akhilesh Yadav attacked Yogi Adityanath's statement that "he did not celebrate Eid" and said, "I myself celebrate all festivals and observe nine-day fast during Navratra. My wife (Dimple) remains on fast on Thursdays," he said. The former UP chief minister alleged law and order had collapsed under the BJP regime. "They are doing encounters. But these are political encounters. And I want to tell all those involved that they will have to face probe now or later. They cannot get away with it. The BJP is damaging fabric of the society by spreading communalism and casteism," he remarked. On RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Akhilesh Yadav said, "He is not only my relative but a big leader, who had kept communal forces at bay in Bihar. I had sent Kironmay Nanda to meet him recently."

BJP's win in UP Rajya Sabha polls has bolstered SP-BSP unity: Akhilesh Yadav

Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday said that the BJP would not succeed in breaking the newly-minted alliance between her party and the Samajwadi Party (SP).

Referring to the recently-concluded Rajya Sabha elections, Mayawati accused the BJP of indulging in &quot;malpractices&quot; and said the party exerted all its force to ensure that the BSP candidate&nbsp; did not win at any cost.

&quot;BJP did not deter from indulging in malpractices. They exerted all their force to ensure that the BSP candidate does not win at any cost. The entire system was deployed to ensure that the newly formed ties between BSP and SP loosen,&quot; the BSP chief said.

&quot;I would like to tell BJP and company that their malpractices will not succeed in breaking the ties between SP and BSP. Yesterday&#39;s results have not affected the SP-BSP tie up in any way, not even by an inch.&quot;

Mayawati said that the SP and the BSP had made a &quot;plan&quot; to come together so that the BJP candidate&nbsp; did not win.

&quot;A plan had been made that we come together so that the BJP candidate couldn&#39;t win the election. It was also tried to make an effort to ensure that this election does not become a blot on the face of democracy,&quot; the BSP Chief said about the Rajya Sabha result.

&quot;We share the same views on yesterday&#39;s result just like any one else. We believe Narendra Modi and Amit Shah used the system to make their candidates win. An environment of fear was created due to which there was also some cross-voting done,&quot; she added.

Referring to the by-election in Gorakhpur and Phulpur, the BSP chief said the &quot;immoral&quot; victory of the BJP could not make up for the party&#39;s defeat in these two constituencies.

&quot;This immoral victory cannot make up for their defeat in Gorakhpur and Phulpur. Even BJP is aware of this,&quot; Mayawati, who backed the SP candidates in the by-elections said. 
&nbsp;

Bahujan Samajwadi Party chief Mayawati on Saturday said that the BJP would not succeed in breaking the newly-minted alliance between her party and the Samajwadi Party

Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday said that the BJP would not succeed in breaking the newly-minted alliance between her party and the Samajwadi Party (SP). Referring to the recently-concluded Rajya Sabha elections, Mayawati accused the BJP of indulging in "malpractices" and said the party exerted all its force to ensure that the BSP candidate did not win at any cost. "BJP did not deter from indulging in malpractices. They exerted all their force to ensure that the BSP candidate does not win at any cost. The entire system was deployed to ensure that the newly formed ties between BSP and SP loosen," the BSP chief said. "I would like to tell BJP and company that their malpractices will not succeed in breaking the ties between SP and BSP. Yesterday's results have not affected the SP-BSP tie up in any way, not even by an inch." Mayawati said that the SP and the BSP had made a "plan" to come together so that the BJP candidate did not win. "A plan had been made that we come together so that the BJP candidate couldn't win the election. It was also tried to make an effort to ensure that this election does not become a blot on the face of democracy," the BSP Chief said about the Rajya Sabha result. "We share the same views on yesterday's result just like any one else. We believe Narendra Modi and Amit Shah used the system to make their candidates win. An environment of fear was created due to which there was also some cross-voting done," she added. Referring to the by-election in Gorakhpur and Phulpur, the BSP chief said the "immoral" victory of the BJP could not make up for the party's defeat in these two constituencies. "This immoral victory cannot make up for their defeat in Gorakhpur and Phulpur. Even BJP is aware of this," Mayawati, who backed the SP candidates in the by-elections said.

BJP won't succeed in breaking ties between SP, BSP: Mayawati

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati suspended BSP MLA Anil Singh following allegations of cross-voting, reports said on Saturday.&nbsp;

BSP MLA Anil Singh indicated that he had <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cross-voting-reported-in-rajya-sabha-elections-36867">cross-voted </a>in favour of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls.

After casting his vote on Friday, Uttar Pradesh lawmaker Anil Kumar Singh, 37, said that he had cross-voted. &quot;I am with Maharaj-ji (Yogi Adityanath),&quot; he said.

&ldquo;I have voted for BJP, I don&#39;t know about the rest,&rdquo; proclaimed Singh.&nbsp;

Reports of cross-voting also emerged from Karnataka Rajya Sabha polls.

Meanwhile, the Congress on Wednesday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/congress-expels-8-gujarat-legislators-for-cross-voting-in-rajya-sabha-polls-18784">expelled eight legislators</a> for violating the party&#39;s whip and voting for BJP candidates in the elections to the Rajya Sabha. The party said it would expel six more MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly) in the days to come.

A day after cross-voting in Rajya Sabha polls, four JD(S) MLAs resign from Karnataka Assembly. BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, R Akhanda Srinivasamurthy, N Chaluvaraya Swamy and Bheema Naik submitted their resignations to Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad at his residence.

The MLAs are likely to join Congress in a day or two, said sources close to them.

BSP MLA Anil Singh indicated that he had cross-voted in favour of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati suspended BSP MLA Anil Singh following allegations of cross-voting, reports said on Saturday. BSP MLA Anil Singh indicated that he had cross-voted in favour of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls. After casting his vote on Friday, Uttar Pradesh lawmaker Anil Kumar Singh, 37, said that he had cross-voted. "I am with Maharaj-ji (Yogi Adityanath)," he said. “I have voted for BJP, I don't know about the rest,” proclaimed Singh. Reports of cross-voting also emerged from Karnataka Rajya Sabha polls. Meanwhile, the Congress on Wednesday expelled eight legislators for violating the party's whip and voting for BJP candidates in the elections to the Rajya Sabha. The party said it would expel six more MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly) in the days to come. A day after cross-voting in Rajya Sabha polls, four JD(S) MLAs resign from Karnataka Assembly. BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, R Akhanda Srinivasamurthy, N Chaluvaraya Swamy and Bheema Naik submitted their resignations to Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad at his residence. The MLAs are likely to join Congress in a day or two, said sources close to them.

Mayawati suspends Anil Singh over Rajya Sabha cross-voting

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-wont-succeed-in-breaking-ties-between-sp-bsp-mayawati-36942">BJP won&#39;t succeed in breaking ties between SP, BSP: Mayawati</a>

Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday said that the BJP would not succeed in breaking the newly-minted alliance between her party and the Samajwadi Party (SP).

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shahs-letter-full-of-false-information-chandrababu-naidu-36935">Amit Shah&#39;s letter full of &#39;false information&#39;: Chandrababu Naidu</a>

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged on Saturday that BJP President Amit Shah&#39;s letter to him was &quot;full of false information&quot;.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/fodder-scam-lalu-prasad-yadav-sentenced-to-7-years-imprisonment-in-dumka-treasury-case-36910">Fodder scam: Lalu Prasad Yadav sentenced to 7 years jail in Dumka treasury case</a>

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has been sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment in Dumka treasury case.

The verdict of seven years imprisonment has been delivered under IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act. The seven years of jail under the two verdict will run simultaneously.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jnu-protest-row-journalists-agitate-outside-delhi-police-headquarters-36938">JNU protest row: Journalists agitate outside Delhi police headquarters</a>

Journalists have gathered outside Delhi Police headquarters to protest against the two separate incidents of molestation and manhandling alleged by woman journalists during the JNU protest.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sonam-kapoor-and-anand-ahuja-to-have-a-may-wedding-in-geneva-36940">Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja to have a May wedding in Geneva?</a>

It has been three months since the news of Sonam Kapoor&rsquo;s tying the knot with her businessman- boyfriend of over two years, Anand Ahuja first floated on social media and the rumours refuse to die down. The&nbsp;latest news suggests that the two have zeroed in on Geneva as their preferred destination for the D Day.

BJP won't succeed in breaking ties between SP, BSP: Mayawati Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday said that the BJP would not succeed in breaking the newly-minted alliance between her party and the Samajwadi Party (SP). Amit Shah's letter full of 'false information': Chandrababu Naidu Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged on Saturday that BJP President Amit Shah's letter to him was "full of false information". Fodder scam: Lalu Prasad Yadav sentenced to 7 years jail in Dumka treasury case RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has been sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment in Dumka treasury case. The verdict of seven years imprisonment has been delivered under IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act. The seven years of jail under the two verdict will run simultaneously. JNU protest row: Journalists agitate outside Delhi police headquarters Journalists have gathered outside Delhi Police headquarters to protest against the two separate incidents of molestation and manhandling alleged by woman journalists during the JNU protest. Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja to have a May wedding in Geneva? It has been three months since the news of Sonam Kapoor’s tying the knot with her businessman- boyfriend of over two years, Anand Ahuja first floated on social media and the rumours refuse to die down. The latest news suggests that the two have zeroed in on Geneva as their preferred destination for the D Day.

WION evening news brief, March 24

An MLA from Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Anil Singh went against his party to vote for the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh on Friday.

A day before the election, Singh&nbsp;met with the state chief minister Yogi Adityanath.

Singh said that he voted to the BJP on &quot; antaratma ki awaaz&quot;. He said, &quot;My inside asked me to vote for the BJP&quot;.

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I have voted for BJP, I don&#39;t know about the rest: Anil Singh, BSP MLA <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajyaSabhaElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajyaSabhaElections</a> <a href="https://t.co/28R7njmfnP">pic.twitter.com/28R7njmfnP</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/977047651286908928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Anil Singh is the BSP MLA from Purwa in Unnao, UP.

Reports also said that another MLA, Nitin Agarwal, from the Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator from Hardoi, also voted for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates.&nbsp;

His father Naresh Agarwal had already joined the BJP earlier this month.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sp-leader-naresh-agrawal-joins-bjp-mocks-jaya-bachchan-35532" target="_blank">SP leader Naresh Agrawal joins BJP, mocks Jaya Bachchan</a>

An MLA from Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Anil Singh went against his party to vote for the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh on Friday

An MLA from Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Anil Singh went against his party to vote for the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh on Friday. A day before the election, Singh met with the state chief minister Yogi Adityanath. Singh said that he voted to the BJP on " antaratma ki awaaz". He said, "My inside asked me to vote for the BJP". I have voted for BJP, I don't know about the rest: Anil Singh, BSP MLA #RajyaSabhaElections pic.twitter.com/28R7njmfnP — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 23, 2018 × Anil Singh is the BSP MLA from Purwa in Unnao, UP. Reports also said that another MLA, Nitin Agarwal, from the Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator from Hardoi, also voted for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates. His father Naresh Agarwal had already joined the BJP earlier this month. Also read: SP leader Naresh Agrawal joins BJP, mocks Jaya Bachchan

Rajya Sabha polls: Setback to Mayawati, BSP MLA votes for BJP

Enthused by his party&#39;s strong showing in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/akhilesh-yadav-thanks-voters-and-mayawati-after-the-win-lashes-out-at-bjp-35830" target="_blank">Gorakhpur and Phulpur </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/akhilesh-yadav-thanks-voters-and-mayawati-after-the-win-lashes-out-at-bjp-35830" target="_blank">bypolls</a>, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav indicated today that his party was keen on burying its bitter rivalry with Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party saying sometimes &quot;past incidents have to be forgotten&quot;.

Yadav, whose party wrested both the high-profile seats from the ruling BJP with BSP&#39;s backing, claimed the victory margin of his candidates would have been larger, had paper ballots been used.

Speaking to reporters here, Yadav also said that his party&#39;s relations with Congress too continued to be good.

Yesterday, in a scene which seemed unimaginable only till the recent past, Yadav had rushed to the residence of the BSP supremo shortly after his candidates emerged victorious and thanked her.

&quot;Samajwadis always give due respect to all and that is why today we have good relations with all. People were recalling old incidents but sometimes they have to be forgotten,&quot; Yadav told mediapersons here.

The SP and the BSP, bitter foes of UP politics, have been at daggers drawn ever since the infamous state guest house case of 1995. In June 1995, Samajwadi Party workers, who were angry with Mayawati for withdrawing support to Mulayam Singh Yadav, had targeted the BSP chief who was present at the state guest house on Meera Bai Marg here.

Following SP&#39;s win in the bypolls, there has been much speculation about UP&#39;s two biggest regional parties joining hands to take on a formidable BJP in the 2019 general elections.

On ties with the Congress, with which SP had an electoral truck in the last Assembly elections, Yadav said the good relations would continue.

&quot;We both are young and together will have to find a way out to the problems facing the country. Rahul Gandhi has congratulated me as well as other senior leaders and I have thanked them all,&quot; Yadav said referring to the Congress chief.

To a volley of questions on the future course of action, the SP chief remarked, &quot;No one can say anything about the future.&quot;

When his attention was drawn to the Congress campaigning against his party in the by polls, the former chief minister stressed &quot;only those who forget old things are successful.&quot;

He said the previous SP government in Uttar Pradesh presented an example of development before the country.

Despite the victory of his candidates, Yadav raised questions about EVMs.

&quot;Had the EVMs worked smoothly and no time was wasted, the victory margin of Samajwadis would have been much bigger. In several of them (EVM machines), votes had already been cast (even before the process of polling began). We have complained about it and Election Commission should take note of it,&quot; he alleged.

The ballot system is the best way of voting as it helps people vent their anger, he said.

&quot;The entire anger of the voters could not come out through the EVMs, had the ballot been used the impact of the anger would have been clear,&quot; he stressed.&nbsp;

'Samajwadis always give due respect to all and that is why today we have good relations with all. People were recalling old incidents but sometimes they have to be forgotten,' Yadav told reporters

Enthused by his party's strong showing in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur bypolls, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav indicated today that his party was keen on burying its bitter rivalry with Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party saying sometimes "past incidents have to be forgotten". Yadav, whose party wrested both the high-profile seats from the ruling BJP with BSP's backing, claimed the victory margin of his candidates would have been larger, had paper ballots been used. Speaking to reporters here, Yadav also said that his party's relations with Congress too continued to be good. Yesterday, in a scene which seemed unimaginable only till the recent past, Yadav had rushed to the residence of the BSP supremo shortly after his candidates emerged victorious and thanked her. "Samajwadis always give due respect to all and that is why today we have good relations with all. People were recalling old incidents but sometimes they have to be forgotten," Yadav told mediapersons here. The SP and the BSP, bitter foes of UP politics, have been at daggers drawn ever since the infamous state guest house case of 1995. In June 1995, Samajwadi Party workers, who were angry with Mayawati for withdrawing support to Mulayam Singh Yadav, had targeted the BSP chief who was present at the state guest house on Meera Bai Marg here. Following SP's win in the bypolls, there has been much speculation about UP's two biggest regional parties joining hands to take on a formidable BJP in the 2019 general elections. On ties with the Congress, with which SP had an electoral truck in the last Assembly elections, Yadav said the good relations would continue. "We both are young and together will have to find a way out to the problems facing the country. Rahul Gandhi has congratulated me as well as other senior leaders and I have thanked them all," Yadav said referring to the Congress chief. To a volley of questions on the future course of action, the SP chief remarked, "No one can say anything about the future." When his attention was drawn to the Congress campaigning against his party in the by polls, the former chief minister stressed "only those who forget old things are successful." He said the previous SP government in Uttar Pradesh presented an example of development before the country. Despite the victory of his candidates, Yadav raised questions about EVMs. "Had the EVMs worked smoothly and no time was wasted, the victory margin of Samajwadis would have been much bigger. In several of them (EVM machines), votes had already been cast (even before the process of polling began). We have complained about it and Election Commission should take note of it," he alleged. The ballot system is the best way of voting as it helps people vent their anger, he said. "The entire anger of the voters could not come out through the EVMs, had the ballot been used the impact of the anger would have been clear," he stressed.

Let bygones be bygones, says SP's Akhilesh on past rivalry with BSP. Speculation grows if they will join forces for 2019

The Samajwadi Party&#39;s Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel won the Phulpur Lok Sabha bypoll by 59,613 votes Wednesday evening. The BJP came in second.&nbsp;

In the Gorakhpur bypoll meanwhile, the SP&#39;s Praveen Kumar Nishad won by 21,881 votes

The BSP did not put up any candidates, so as to not split the anti-BJP vote.&nbsp;

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accepted the defeats, saying after the loss:&nbsp;&quot;We accept the verdict of the people, this result is unexpected, we will review the shortcomings. I congratulate the winning candidates.&quot; &nbsp;

Remember, UP CM Yogi Adityanath was elected MP from Gorakhpur five times before this. He had to vacate the Lok Sabha seat after becoming chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Similarly, the Phulpur seat was vacated by Keshav Prasad Maurya after he became deputy chief minister.&nbsp; &nbsp;

&quot;Yeh BSP-SP ka jo rajnitik saudebaazi, desh ke vikas ko baadhit karne ke liye bani hai, iske baare mein hum apni rann neeti tayaar karenge,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> UP CM Yogi Adityanath says &#39;Yeh BSP-SP ka jo rajnitik saudebaazi, desh ke vikas ko baadhit karne ke liye bani hai, iske baare mein hum apni rann neeti tayaar karenge&#39; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPByPoll?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPByPoll</a> <a href="https://t.co/DtyHvLeJqH">pic.twitter.com/DtyHvLeJqH</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/973899298382450689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Patel meanwhile thanked BSP chief Mayawati after his win:&nbsp;

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Behenji ka bhi bahot aashirwad tha. Ek hi vichaardhara ke sabhi parties ek huyin aur humaari jeet huyi. Jeet ka shrey Akhilesh ji, Behenji Mayawati ji aur Phulpur ki janta ko deta hoon: Nagendra Singh Patel, Samajwadi Party&#39;s winning candidate. <a href="https://t.co/kqjqGSvmen">pic.twitter.com/kqjqGSvmen</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/973886924632051713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Congress meanwhile fared poorly in the polls, with its candidates from both Phulpur and Gorakhpur losing their deposits.&nbsp;

That however did not stop Congress President Rahul Gandhi from proclaiming that the BJP losses showed that voters are angry with the BJP.&nbsp;

&quot;It is clear from the bypoll results that voters are angry with BJP and they will vote for the non-BJP candidate who has strongest chance of winning. As far as Congress is concerned, we are committed towards rebuilding the party in UP, and it does not happen overnight,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

'We accept the verdict of the people, this result is unexpected, we will review the shortcomings,' UP CM Yogi Adityanath said after the defeat

The Samajwadi Party's Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel won the Phulpur Lok Sabha bypoll by 59,613 votes Wednesday evening. The BJP came in second. In the Gorakhpur bypoll meanwhile, the SP's Praveen Kumar Nishad won by 21,881 votes The BSP did not put up any candidates, so as to not split the anti-BJP vote. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accepted the defeats, saying after the loss: "We accept the verdict of the people, this result is unexpected, we will review the shortcomings. I congratulate the winning candidates." Remember, UP CM Yogi Adityanath was elected MP from Gorakhpur five times before this. He had to vacate the Lok Sabha seat after becoming chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Similarly, the Phulpur seat was vacated by Keshav Prasad Maurya after he became deputy chief minister. "Yeh BSP-SP ka jo rajnitik saudebaazi, desh ke vikas ko baadhit karne ke liye bani hai, iske baare mein hum apni rann neeti tayaar karenge," he added. #WATCH UP CM Yogi Adityanath says 'Yeh BSP-SP ka jo rajnitik saudebaazi, desh ke vikas ko baadhit karne ke liye bani hai, iske baare mein hum apni rann neeti tayaar karenge' #UPByPoll pic.twitter.com/DtyHvLeJqH — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 14, 2018 × Patel meanwhile thanked BSP chief Mayawati after his win: Behenji ka bhi bahot aashirwad tha. Ek hi vichaardhara ke sabhi parties ek huyin aur humaari jeet huyi. Jeet ka shrey Akhilesh ji, Behenji Mayawati ji aur Phulpur ki janta ko deta hoon: Nagendra Singh Patel, Samajwadi Party's winning candidate. pic.twitter.com/kqjqGSvmen — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 14, 2018 × The Congress meanwhile fared poorly in the polls, with its candidates from both Phulpur and Gorakhpur losing their deposits. That however did not stop Congress President Rahul Gandhi from proclaiming that the BJP losses showed that voters are angry with the BJP. "It is clear from the bypoll results that voters are angry with BJP and they will vote for the non-BJP candidate who has strongest chance of winning. As far as Congress is concerned, we are committed towards rebuilding the party in UP, and it does not happen overnight," he said.

Uttar Pradesh bypolls: UP shocker; SP wins both Yogi bastion of Gorakhpur and Phulpur seat

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