• By Vivek Raj
  • Mon, 15 Jan 2024 01:15 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati announced on Monday that her party would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections independently, citing past unfavorable experiences with alliances. While addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati expressed that the BSP had faced more losses through alliances, leading to the decision to go solo in the elections.

“We suffer more losses from alliances. For this reason, most of the parties in the country want to form an alliance with the BSP,” she said.

Mayawati recalled the BSP's success in forming a full majority government in Uttar Pradesh in 2007, attributing it to support from diverse communities. She affirmed the party's decision to distance itself from those promoting casteism and communalism.

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“With the backing of people from backward communities, Dalits, tribals, and Muslims, we had formed a full majority government in UP in 2007, and that's why we have decided to contest the Lok Sabha polls alone. We will maintain a distance from those who are casteist and believe in communalism…We will work with full strength to help the BSP get a favourable verdict,” the BSP supremo said.

Although ruling out pre-election alliances, Mayawati left the door open for post-poll collaborations, saying, "An alliance can be considered after the elections. If possible, the BSP can extend its support after the elections."

The BSP, once a prominent force in Uttar Pradesh politics during 1990-2000, has witnessed a gradual decline in recent years. In the 2022 assembly election, the party secured only 12.8 per cent of votes, marking its lowest tally in three decades.

Addressing speculation about her retirement from politics, Mayawati clarified that her recent declaration of nephew Akash Anand as her political successor did not imply her retirement.

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“Last month, I declared Akash Anand as my political successor following which it was being speculated in media that I may soon retire from politics. However, I want to clarify that it is not the case, and I will continue to work towards strengthening the party,” she said.