Mayawati’s stature and her party BSP’s historical role in the politics of Uttar Pradesh is not hidden from anyone. Mayawati, who was Chief Minister four times, is today going through her most challenging political phase. At present BSP has only one MLA in the UP Assembly, whereas at one time it had run the government with full majority. The party has no representative in the Lok Sabha. Despite this, Mayawati and her party still have the potential to not only make a comeback but also decisively influence the election results.
Mayawati’s political journey and the art of making equations
Mayawati paved the way to power by keeping Dalit self-respect at the center of her politics. He not only created a strong support base of Dalits, but also reached power by forming alliances with ideologically different parties like BJP.
BJP and BSP alliance: a complex relationship
- 1995 alliance:
- Mayawati assumed the post of Chief Minister for the first time with the support of BJP.
- This alliance did not last long.
- 1997 alliance:
- There was an agreement to share power under a six-month agreement.
- Mayawati refused to step down as CM, leading to the breakup of the alliance.
- Kalyan Singh formed the government with the rebels, but this increased bitterness within the BJP.
Dispute between Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Kalyan Singh
- 1999 Lok Sabha elections:
- Kalyan Singh, when he was the CM of UP, said, “Vajpayee should first become MP, then think of becoming PM.”
- Atal ji was angry, and this dispute caused a rift between the two leaders.
- In the 1999 elections, BJP got only 29 seats, but Vajpayee won from Lucknow.
- Allegations were made that Kalyan Singh along with Mulayam Singh Yadav caused harm to BJP.
Big decision of Atal Bihari Vajpayee
- Vajpayee decided to remove Kalyan Singh from the post of CM.
- Lal Krishna Advani argued in favor of Kalyan Singh, but Vajpayee remained adamant.
- Ultimately Ram Prakash Gupta was made the CM.
- This decision created a permanent rift in the relations between Kalyan Singh and BJP.
Mayawati’s strategic moves and equation with BJP
- Mayawati took advantage of the alliance with BJP to strengthen her political position.
- However, from time to time there was tension between him and the BJP.
- Mayawati’s specialty has been that she is an expert in the art of manipulating electoral equations in her favor.
Mayawati’s influence on Congress and Aam Aadmi Party
- The presence of Mayawati changes the political equations in UP.
- BSP may have performed weakly in the 2022 assembly elections, but their vote share posed big challenges for BJP and SP.
- Congress hopes that due to the influence of Mayawati, the vote bank of BJP and SP will be divided, due to which Congress can benefit.
Can BSP make a comeback?
- Challenges:
- weak organization
- declining support base
- Poor performance in Lok Sabha and Assembly
- Possibilities:
- Strong hold on Dalit vote bank
- skill in solving political equations
- Mayawati’s charismatic image
