Mayawati Reveals Reason for Split with SP: Calls Unanswered Post 2019 Election

BSP chief Mayawati disclosed the fallout with SP after the 2019 elections, citing SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's refusal to take calls post-results. She emphasized breaking the alliance to protect BSP's honour and warned against SP-Congress misleading PDA in the 2024 elections.

BSP chief Mayawati on Thursday disclosed the reasons behind the party's fallout with the Samajwadi Party (SP) following the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. She revealed that SP chief Akhilesh Yadav stopped answering calls from BSP leaders after the alliance's poor performance.

Both parties contested the 2019 elections together, winning only 15 seats—BSP secured 10, while SP managed five in Uttar Pradesh. 'In an effort to stop the BJP in UP, Akhilesh Yadav, forgetting past mistakes, proposed another alliance. However, following the election results, he ceased communication with BSP leaders. To safeguard our party's honour, we had to end the alliance,' Mayawati elaborated in a booklet.

Mayawati also commented on the recent 2024 Lok Sabha elections, accusing the SP and Congress of misleading the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, and Alpasankhyak) community under the guise of protecting the Constitution and reservation. She warned that the PDA would not benefit from this alliance and urged caution moving forward.

The BSP released the booklet to inform party workers about the party's ideology and strategy for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, explaining the rationale behind Mayawati's key decisions.

(With inputs from agencies.)