Mayawati tells cadre BSP will not actively participate in bypolls now

Indicating she may not support the SP in the Kairana Lok Sabha by-poll, BSP chief Mayawati has asked cadres to prepare for the 2019 general elections making it clear the party will not actively participate in any of the electoral contests now as it did in case of Gorakhpur and Phulpur, sources said.

There is not much time left for the next Lok Sabha elections and the party will fully concentrate on preparing for them, the BSP chief told workers according to party sources.

BSP will not take active participation, like Gorakhpur and Phulpur, in any of the by-elections taking place in the state, Mayawati told party workers, they added.

Assigning tasks for the next year's elections to senior party leaders, she said "BSP will use its full energy in strengthening its base among the 'sarv samaj' up to the booth level for the 2019 elections and try to turn the tide in its favour, the sources said.

She pointed out that with party's supporters and followers standing solidly with the movement, even a small share of votes belonging to the 'sarv samaj will be able to help it achieve the target, they added.

BSP's support in the recently held Lok Sabha by elections helped the Samajwadi Party clinch two prestigious - Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats.

Earlier, despite suffering a reversal in the recent Rajya Sabha elections where her nominee despite Samajwadi Party and Congress backing did not win, the BSP chief had clearly indicated that her 'friendship' will continue to check the BJP from returning to power at the centre in 2019 elections.

The state is all set to see two more bye-elections - one on Kairana Lok Sabha seat and the other on Bijnore Assembly seat, in near future.