Once arch rivals, Mayawati and Mulayam Singh Yadav share stage after 25 yrs

At loggerheads for decades, SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and BSP chief Mayawati shared the dias at a joint rally of the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in the Samajwadi Party citadel of Mainpuri on Friday after 25 years.

Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati have been bitter rivals since 1995 when SP cadres allegedly attacked the state guest house where the BSP chief had been camping with her supporters.

In his address, Mulayam Singh Yadav thanked Mayawati for attending the rally in support of his candidature.

“Always extend respect to Mayawatiji because she has always stood by us in the times of need. I am happy she has come here to seek vote for me,” Mulayam Singh told his party workers.

Mayawati, on her part, said "There is no message in it (coming together at one stage). He (Mulayam Singh) has given representation to every section of society in the Samajwadi Party. He is not a fake backward community member. Mulayamji is from real backward, has always been from the backward community unlike PM Modi."

She said the BSP joined hands with the Samajwadi Party with the objective of “defeating the BJP” in the Lok Sabha elections

The SP patriarch, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the party bastion of Mainpuri was conspicuous by his absence at the three joint rallies held earlier in Deoband, Badaun and Agra due to his aversion to his party's alliance with the BSP.

Reports suggest that Mulayam Singh Yadav was not too keen on attending Friday's rally as well but was cajoled by his son and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav who has confirmed the SP founder's presence at the Mainpuri rally.

Mayawati has already asked workers of both the BSP and the SP to shun their differences and work for the victory of the alliance in the state.