In a recent visit to Uttar Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi questioned the electoral strategies of Mayawati, leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), during an interaction with Dalit students. He asked, "Behenji (Mayawati) aajkal chunaav theek se kyun nahi lad rahi (Why is Mayawati not fighting polls properly these days)?"

This remark was met with a sharp reaction from Mayawati, the first Dalit Chief Minister of UP, who accused the Congress of harboring "animosity and casteist attitude" towards her party.

Congress-BSP Dynamics

Mayawati responded via social media, highlighting a perceived double standard by the Congress. She argued that in states where Congress is strong, there is a hostile attitude towards the BSP and its followers. Yet, in UP, where Congress is weaker, there are talks of alliances, which she referred to as deceptive.

Rahul Gandhi had prefaced his remarks by acknowledging the foundational work of Kanshi Ram and praising Mayawati's efforts in carrying it forward. He expressed regret over the missed opportunity for a united front against the BJP, stating, "If Behenji had joined us, our coalition would have been strong enough to defeat BJP."

Electoral Implications

During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress allied with Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party, securing six and 37 seats, respectively. The BSP contested 79 seats, garnering 9.4% of the votes but winning none. Mayawati cited this as evidence of the lack of reciprocal support when BSP aligns with Congress.

The discussion also took a deeper dive into the ideological clash between the Congress, BJP, and the values championed by Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. Mayawati argued that the conduct of these parties is contrary to the welfare and egalitarian objectives of the Constitution, impacting the progress of Dalit-Bahujan communities.

Conclusion

The exchange between Rahul Gandhi and Mayawati underscores the complex dynamics of coalition politics in India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. It reveals underlying tensions and strategic considerations that continue to shape the political landscape in the region.