To ally or not to ally, asks BSP

Party sources said the BSP has always aligned with the victorious or 8216;8216;winnable8217;8217; party in the greater interest of 8216;8216;expanding the Bahujan Samaj8217;8217; and has seen the BJP as its natural ally. Today, it has lost that privilege to the SP with covert help from the BJP. So, any other political alliance, even with the Congress, will be weighed against its combined power to avenge the BJP-SP combine in the state. While BSP sources say alliances suit only the partner and not the party itself, as the latter is able to transfer its votes en bloc, but it never recieves any support from the former, Mayawati will have to decide considering two factors.

A defeat for the SP would increase its seats in UP, while in MP, Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi where the BSP has a noticeable influence, acombined fight could see it winning seats once again. Further, a large section in the party believes it is time Mayawati struck some strategic partnerships outside the BJP.

There is a common opinion withing the party that the BSP go it alone in the coming Lok Sabha elections. A multi-cornered contest has always benefitted the party.