An alliance between two parties led by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, much to chagrin of protagonists of federal fronts from Andhra Pradesh K Chandrasekhar Rao (Telangana chief minister)and Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh chief minister), has become a major political development in country before the Lok Sabha polls.
Mayawati grabbed the attention of the nation when she joined hands with her arch rival Samajwadi Party a couple of day ago. KCR’s proposed federal front has no takers yet while Naidu wants a front only to promote Rahul as Prime Minister.
If the nationwide reactions to the alliance between Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) are any indication, the supremo of BSP has emerged as the most important opposition face.
A report in Quint summed up these developments to conclude that all these developments underline the emergence of Mayawati as a major Opposition face for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and a possible prime ministerial contender. Excerpts from the report:
The announcement of an alliance between the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party on Saturday set in motion a number of important developments. First, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to the alliance by taunting BSP supremo Mayawati and SP president Akhilesh Yadav by saying, “Those who were not ready to see eye to eye with each other are shaking hands for petty political gains”. He also reminded Mayawati of when she was attacked by SP workers at a Lucknow guest-house in 1995.
Second, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said that he has “tremendous respect for both Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav”.
Third, other Opposition leaders such as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy welcomed the formation of the SP-BSP alliance.
Fourth, the Bhim Army, which many projected as a challenge to Mayawati from within the Dalit community, has announced its support for the SP-BSP alliance.
Fifth, RJD leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav met Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow on Monday. He touched Mayawati’s feet and wished her in advance for her birthday which is on Tuesday. Several Opposition leaders are likely to take part in her birthday celebrations in Lucknow.