Bahujan Samaj Party

Muslims should support BSP instead of SP, Congress to defeat BJP: Mayawati

BSP president Mayawati on Wednesday appealed to the Muslim community to unite and extend "direct support" to her party instead of the Samajwadi Party and Congress in order to defeat the "destructive politics" of the BJP in elections. Mayawati said that despite Muslims voting overwhelmingly in favour of the SP, the party has failed to defeat the BJP. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief made the remarks while presiding over a special meeting of the party's 'Muslim Samaj Bhaichara Sangathan' here. She also issued key directions aimed at strengthening the BSP's support base among Muslims. "From the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls and several earlier elections, it has become evident that despite Muslims extending full support -- emotionally, physically, and financially -- the SP and Congress have failed to stop the BJP. In contrast, the BSP has managed to defeat the BJP even with limited Muslim support, and in 2007, it formed a majority government in the state," she said, according to

Rape of minor girl in Lucknow deeply saddening and shameful: Mayawati

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday termed the rape of a minor girl in Lucknow district "deeply saddening and shameful". In a post on X in Hindi, she said, "The gang-rape of a teenage girl in the Banthara area of the capital, Lucknow, is deeply saddening and shameful. Incidents of harassment, rape, and murder, along with harassment of women, are continuing unabated in various states across the country, including Uttar Pradesh." She also urged the government to take "effective steps" to prevent such incidents. "Forget about women's respect, their safety is paramount," the BSP president said. A minor Dalit student was allegedly raped by five men in the Banthara police station area on Saturday. Police have arrested a 20-year-old man from the Harauni railway station in connection with the alleged rape, an official said on Sunday. Two others escaped from a checkpoint in the village where a police team was stationed, the official said, even as one of them was shot in the

BSP to fight 2027 UP election solo, says Mayawati at Lucknow rally

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Thursday said her party would contest the next Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections on its own and ruled out any alliances. Addressing a rally in Lucknow, Mayawati said that alliances in the past had only helped partner parties, while the BSP's own vote base did not receive reciprocal support. "Based on our experience so far, I want to make it clear that whenever our party has contested Assembly elections in alliance especially here in Uttar Pradesh we have not benefited in any significant way," she said. "Our party's votes get transferred one-sidedly to the alliance partner, but because of their casteist mindset, upper castes do not transfer to BSP candidates. This is the reality. As a result, our candidates win fewer seats, and our overall vote share declines," the BSP chief said. Mayawati also pointed out that coalition governments involving the BSP never lasted their full term. "Whenever we have formed a coalition government (in UP), it

Political discourse turning toxic; parties must uphold principles: Mayawati

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Friday expressed concerns over the "declining level of politics" in the country, blaming self-interests of political parties for the trend. She urged all political parties to work in line with their constitutions and principles to safeguard interests of the poor and the common people. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister's comments came a day after alleged derogatory remarks were made about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his mother at an Opposition rally in Bihar. In a post on X, Mayawati said political discourse has become "toxic and violent" in recent years, especially during elections, even as India face mounting internal and external challenges. "It is extremely sad and worrying that, while parties are serving political self-interests, the level of politics is falling in the country," she wrote, adding that parties should act on their principles "in the interest of the nation and crores of poor and common people." Mayawati also

Mayawati appoints nephew Akash Anand as chief national coordinator of BSP

The decision was taken at a national-level meeting on Sunday at the party's central office in Delhi's Lodhi Road

EC interacts with BSP chief Mayawati for better understanding of issues

The Election Commission on Tuesday held an interaction with Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati here as part of an initiative to push for greater and regular engagement with different stakeholders, including political parties. BSP's national general secretary Satish Chandra Misra and party treasurer Shridhar were also present. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi spoke with the BSP leadership at the Nirvachan Sadan. The meeting is in continuation of the Election Commission's emphasis on fostering greater and regular engagement with different stakeholders. The poll authority has initiated interactions with national and state political parties to provide a long-felt need of constructive discussions which enable party chiefs to share their suggestions and concerns directly with the Commission. This initiative aligns with the Commission's broader vision of further strengthening the electoral process in accordan

BSP churn likely to create vacuum in Uttar Pradesh's Dalit politics

Analysts predict bleak future unless the party reinvents itself and sheds its perceived BJP ties. Radhika Ramaseshan writes

Political power key to 'achche din' for Dalits, says BSP chief Mayawati

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Tuesday said only political power can bring "good days" for the Dalits and Bahujans. "Winning political power is the only way to bring 'achche din' for Bahujans," the party supremo said at a state-level special meeting of BSP's OBC officials. Mayawati said that the Bahujan community, particularly OBCs, has been severely affected by caste-based and narrow-minded politics. She claimed that, like Dalits, OBCs have been deprived of their Constitutional reservation benefits due to new policies that have rendered quota ineffective. Mayawati urged for a renewed and intensified campaign to unite all sections and secure political power to end social discrimination. "To free themselves from humiliation, all sections of the Bahujan community must unite and strengthen their political power. We must start a new and aggressive campaign at the village level to expose the anti-Dalit and anti-OBC agendas of Congress, BJP, and SP," she said. She added, .

BSP controlled by BJP, says Udit Raj, asks Akash Anand to join Congress

Slamming BSP supremo Mayawati after she expelled her nephew Akash Anand from the party, Congress leader Udit Raj on Thursday claimed that the move showed the BSP is being controlled by the BJP, and invited Anand to join the Congress. Mayawati would not have taken such a "suicidal step" without being under pressure, he said. Mayawati on Sunday removed her nephew Akash Anand from all party posts, appointing his father Anand Kumar and Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Gautam as national coordinators in his place, and said she would not name a successor in her lifetime. Kumar, however, turned down the offer. A day after Akash Anand's removal, Mayawati on Monday said she expelled him "in the interest of the party and the movement". Mayawati said that Akash's response to her action against him on Sunday was "selfish and arrogant". Addressing a press conference here, Congress leader Udit Raj said the rise of the BSP has been different from other parties as it started with a social movement and later

Mayawati kicks out nephew from party: What next in BSP's succession cycle?

BSP supremo Mayawati's decision to not name her political heir further clouds the future of the party, which has been struggling to regain political relevance

BSP names Randhir Beniwal national coordinator after Anand Kumar declines

The Bahujan Samaj Party Wednesday appointed Randhir Beniwal as its national coordinator after Mayawati's brother and the party's national vice-president Anand Kumar expressed a desire to hold one post at a time. Kumar was recently given the additional responsibility of national coordinator. Mayawati had even announced the decision in a recent post on X. However, Kumar expressed his wish to hold only one post in the interest of the party and his request was accepted. "Keeping in mind the interests of the party and the movement, Anand Kumar, who has been selflessly serving the BSP for a long time, expressed his wish to work in only one post. His decision is welcome," Mayawati wrote on X. With Kumar not accepting the responsibility, Randhir Beniwal has been appointed to the post, she said. "Now, Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Gautam and Randhir Beniwal will jointly serve as BSP's national coordinators, working directly under my guidance to handle responsibilities in various states," Mayawati s

After removing nephew Akash from key posts, Mayawati expels him from party

A day after removing her nephew Akash Anand from all key posts, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Monday said she has expelled him from the party "in the interest and movement" of the party. Mayawati said that Akash's response to her action against him on Sunday was "selfish and arrogant". In a BSP meeting on Sunday, Akash was relieved from all responsibilities as he was under the continuous influence of his father-in-law Ashok Siddharth, more than the interest of the party, for which he should "repent and show his maturity", she said. "But on the contrary, the lengthy response given by Shri Akash is not a sign of his remorse and political maturity, but is mostly selfish, arrogant and non-missionary under the influence of his father-in-law," Mayawati said in a post on X in Hindi. "Therefore, in the interest of the self-respect and self-esteem of the movement of the most revered Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and following the tradition of discipline of Manaywar Shri Kanshiram

Mayawati removes nephew from key posts, says no successor till she's alive

BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday removed her nephew Akash Anand from all party posts, and announced there will no successor to her in the party till she is alive. At a high-level meeting here with party office bearers from across the country to strengthen the party, she announced significant changes in the party leadership. The BSP chief appointed her brother Anand Kumar and Ramji Gautam as national coordinators to oversee party affairs across the country. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister stated that she would not announce her successor in the party till she is alive, stressing that for her the party and movement is supreme and relations can come later. Mayawati had sacked Anand last year only to reinstate him later and appoint him as her political successor. She had last month announced the expulsion of Ashok Siddharth, the father-in-law of Akash Anand, from the party on charges of factionalism and engaging in anti-party activities. Siddharth, a former Rajya Sabha MP, was exp

BJP has highest income share among national parties with 74.57%: ADR report

Six national parties - BJP, INC, CPI(M), AAP, BSP and NPEP - have declared a total income of Rs 5,820.912 crore, according to ADR report

Following lower GDP outlook, Mayawati urges govt to focus on public welfare

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Wednesday urged the Centre to prioritise national and public welfare over "narrow politics, after the government revised downwards the GDP growth estimate for the current fiscal. Her remarks came at a time when the Indian rupee has hit a record low of 85.83 against the US dollar, and the GDP growth rate is forecast to drop to 6.4 per cent for 2024-25, the lowest in four years. "The GDP growth rate is expected to fall to 6.4 per cent. Most newspapers highlighted this as their top news today. The ones who are truly saddened by this are the country's poor and hardworking population, who, despite their tough lives, are not ready to hear any harm coming to their nation," Mayawati said in a post on X. "The poor may not have a direct connection with the falling value of rupee in the global market, yet they are unhappy about it. The government must respect their emotions, and, setting aside its 24-hour narrow politics, focus on public and national welfa

SP, BSP caution against politics over Manmohan Singh's funeral, memorial

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati have urged the central government to avoid any political controversy over the funeral and memorial of former prime minister Manmohan Singh. The architect of India's economic reforms and a consensus builder in the rough world of politics, Singh died at AIIMS, Delhi, late on Thursday. He was 92. His last rites will take place with full state honours at the Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi at 11.45 am. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to have Singh's funeral at a place where his memorial can be built. In a post on X on Friday night, SP president Akhilesh Yadav said, "The tradition of honouring the country's former prime ministers must be upheld. There is no need for politics on this issue nor should there be any. "Dr. Manmohan Singh's memorial should be constructed at Rajghat. The BJP should refrain from presenting an inappropriate example of its narrow-minded

SP, BSP, Cong used Ambedkar's ideals solely for votebank politics: UP Dy CM

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Tuesday alleged that opposition parties such as the Samajwadi Party, Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party used Ambedkar's ideals solely for votebank politics. The Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have announced protests on Tuesday against Union Minister Amit Shah's "derogatory" remarks on Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha. In a post on X, Maurya said, "Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar dedicated his life for the rights of Dalits, the backward and the deprived but the SP (Samajwadi Party), Congress and the BSP used his ideas only for votebank politics." "The SP's silence on the murder of a Dalit daughter in Karhal and breaking of Ambedkar's statue (in Maharashtra), the BSP's frequent change of stance and the Congress' crocodile tears expose their real character," he added in Hindi. Maurya further said that those who were "twisting" Shah's remarks and enacting a drama should first look into their own ...

BSP cadre may marry anyone cutting across party lines, says Mayawati

BSP chief Mayawati has refuted reports that a leader was expelled from the party for getting his son married to the daughter of an SP legislator. She asserted that the BSP cadre was free to marry anyone cutting across party lines. Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) Rampur district unit president Surendra Sagar's son recently tied the knot with the daughter of Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA from Alapur in Ambedkar Nagar district Tribhuvan Dutt. Earlier, Dutt was associated with the BSP but joined the SP before the 2022 UP Assembly elections. In a series of posts on X in Hindi on Friday night, Mayawati said Sagar and the current district president of BSP in Rampur, Pramod Kumar, were expelled from the party due to a simmering dispute between them and had nothing to do with the marriage. "The quarrel between former party president of Rampur district Surendra Sagar and current party president Pramod Kumar was at its peak due to which the party's work was suffering. Both of them were expelled and it

BJP, Cong, SP obstacles to BSP's pursuit of self-esteem: Mayawati

BJP, Cong, SP obstacles to Bahujan Samaj's pursuit of self-esteem: Mayawati

Mayawati questions UP govt's food safety move, calls it electoral politics

Bahujan Samaj Party Chief Mayawati on Thursday slammed the UP government's directive to display names and addresses of eatery operators, proprietors and managers, saying it was more about electoral politics than food safety. Citing incidents of spitting and mixing of urine in eatables in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday directed that the name and address of operators, proprietors and managers should be mandatorily displayed at all food centres. He also directed that chefs and waiters should wear masks and gloves, besides making installation of CCTV cameras in hotels and restaurants mandatory. The UP government's announcement of making it compulsory to install cameras along with the name and address of the owners and manager in hotels, restaurants, dhabas etc. is similar to the action taken during the Kanwar Yatra, sparking discussions that this is less about food safety and more about diverting public's attention through electoral politics, Mayawati said in a