Mayawati now open to post-poll alliance in 4 states, says BSP to act as ‘balance of power’

“For the betterment of marginalised sections and Muslims, it is important that a coalition government obliged to work for the welfare of people (janhit ki majboor sarkar) comes to power, instead of a strong and arrogant government,” Mayawati is quoted as saying in a statement issued by her party.

A few days ago, Mayawati had said that her party would contest the upcoming Assembly elections alone and not tie up with any party.

Stating that the BSP had emerged as a “balance of power” in several states in the past, she accused “anti-BSP and casteist elements” of breaking away her party MLAs by “using all types of tactics for their greed of power”, and which “affected the BSP movement”.

Notably, all the four states — Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana — will be going to polls later this year. Of the four states, three – Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh – are dominated by bipolar politics with BJP and Congress forming the two poles. In Telangana, there is a likelihood of a three-cornered contest between the ruling BRS, BJP and the Congress.

“Today’s statement indicates that the BSP has no hesitation in becoming a part of either the Congress or the BJP-led governments in these states in future. If that happens, it will create a new path for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls,” said a BSP leader.

In the 2018 Assembly elections, BSP won six seats in Rajasthan and two each in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. “After the elections, the BSP supported the Congress in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to keep the BJP out of power. But the Congress took away BSP MLAs in Rajasthan. Certainly, our MLAs left the party to enjoy power. In future, if BSP formally joins the government and our MLAs become ministers, they will not leave the party. Also, the party will be then in a better position to help the deprived sections and strengthen its base in the states,” the BSP leader added.

When asked whether the BSP was open to joining which of the two big coalitions – NDA or INDIA — the party leader said, “The BSP is not talking about any particular party. It will take a decision to be a part of the government after emerging as the balance of power.”