Mayawati Criticizes SP Over Ignoring PDA Community

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has criticized the Samajwadi Party for appointing Mata Prasad Pandey as Leader of Opposition in Uttar Pradesh Assembly. She alleged that the SP used the Picchde, Dalit, and Alpsankhyak (PDA) community's votes in Lok Sabha polls but neglected them in key positions.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Monday criticized the Samajwadi Party (SP) for appointing Brahmin leader Mata Prasad Pandey as Leader of the Opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, alleging the Akhilesh Yadav-led party ignored the PDA community after securing their votes in the Lok Sabha polls.

Akhilesh Yadav had formulated the PDA acronym representing 'Picchde, Dalit, and Alpsankhyak' (backwards, Dalits, and minorities) before the Lok Sabha polls, accusing his rivals of neglecting these communities. On Sunday, the SP appointed seven-time MLA Mata Prasad Pandey as Leader of the Opposition.

Reacting to the appointment, Mayawati accused the SP of misleading the PDA communities, particularly by invoking the need to save the Constitution. She stated that these communities have been ignored in the key appointment of the LoP, expressing concern on social media platform X.

Mayawati further claimed that except for one particular caste, the SP has no place for any PDA community. She highlighted the oppression and neglect faced by the Brahmin community under SP and BJP governments, declaring that their development occurred only during BSP's tenure.

Newly appointed LoP Pandey, 82, the MLA from Itwa in Siddharth Nagar district, replaces SP President Akhilesh Yadav, who resigned from the Karhal seat in Mainpuri district after being elected to the Lok Sabha from Kannauj.

(With inputs from agencies.)