Mayawati is launching a revival effort to reclaim lost ground; she released a 59-page booklet outlining the party’s roadmap, while emphasising her ‘Iron Lady’ image
Facing a steep decline in electoral performance, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), under the leadership of Mayawati, is now pivoting with a new strategy aimed at regaining its lost political ground. The once-formidable party, which made significant strides in the late 1990s and early 2000s by mobilising Dalit and marginalised communities, has been on the back foot in recent elections. With an eye on the upcoming assembly by-elections and the 2027 general elections, the BSP has taken an important step by releasing a 59-page booklet, designed not only to recount its past achievements but also to chart a new course for the future. The release of this booklet is a key part of the BSP’s revitalisation plan. It features several statements from Mayawati, emphasising her leadership and vision for the party’s future. One of the key aspects of the booklet is Mayawati’s self-identification as the "Iron Lady," a term that echoes the strong and uncompromising leadership style often associated with female leaders in global politics, such as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
By using this title, Mayawati seeks to project an image of resilience, firmness and determination, drawing on her previous tenure as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, where she exercised considerable political influence. Mayawati’s attempt to invoke historical symbolism is another notable feature of the booklet. She compares herself to Emperor Ashoka, an ancient Indian ruler known for his governance and promotion of social justice. The parallel is clear: like Ashoka, Mayawati aspires to usher in a new era of social welfare and justice for the marginalised sections of society, particularly Dalits. Through this comparison, she hopes to solidify her image as a leader capable of bringing about meaningful social change, positioning herself as a saviour of the oppressed and aligning her leadership with India’s rich historical tradition of justice. The use of such symbolic language is not merely rhetorical; it is a calculated effort to energise the party’s traditional voter base, which largely consists of Dalits, while also appealing to other communities. The invocation of Emperor Ashoka, a figure revered for his contributions to governance, inclusiveness and justice, allows Mayawati to appeal to a wider electorate that values strong leadership based on social equity and welfare.
By aligning her vision with that of Ashoka, she is reminding voters that her leadership stands for inclusiveness, fair governance and social justice—values that resonate deeply with her core constituency. One of the most significant components of Mayawati’s new political strategy is a renewed focus on social engineering, an electoral strategy that had previously yielded considerable success for the BSP. This approach, which played a crucial role in Mayawati’s rise to power in 2007, involves forging electoral alliances across caste lines—specifically between Dalits and Brahmins. By uniting these groups, the BSP was able to create a winning formula that resulted in sweeping electoral victories in the mid-2000s.
The booklet highlights the party’s intention to revive this strategy, indicating that the BSP aims to once again bring together a broad-based coalition to strengthen its political position. In the booklet, Mayawati makes a strong appeal to Brahmin voters, asserting that their economic and social upliftment can only be achieved under BSP rule. She takes the opportunity to criticise rival political parties, including the Samajwadi Party (SP), Congress, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for neglecting the Brahmin community and failing to address their concerns. By making this overture to Brahmins, Mayawati hopes to recreate the Brahmin-Dalit electoral coalition that had been so successful in the past, particularly in 2007, when this formula helped her ascend to the Chief Minister’s office in Uttar Pradesh. This strategy signals that Mayawati is determined to reconstruct a broad-based support structure, aiming to gain a foothold among both upper and lower castes. The outreach to Brahmins is not an entirely new tactic for the BSP.
The party had previously established strong support among Brahmin voters, particularly in the mid-2000s, by emphasising the importance of social cohesion and inclusive governance. In many ways, Mayawati’s return to this formula reflects her understanding of the changing political dynamics in Uttar Pradesh. She recognises the importance of rebuilding alliances that cross caste lines, particularly as the political landscape in the state continues to evolve. However, the new strategy does not stop with Brahmins. The booklet also directs sharp critiques at Mayawati’s political rivals, particularly Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. She targets Gandhi’s recent visit to a shoe repair shop, characterising it as “symbolic politics” that does little to address the real issues faced by marginalised communities. In her view, this gesture perpetuates caste-based stereotypes, reinforcing the notion that certain communities, such as Dalits, should be associated with manual labour, including shoe-making. This critique is aimed at resonating with her core voter base—Dalits—by emphasising her stance against caste-based occupations and promoting a broader vision of social justice. Mayawati also uses the booklet to revisit past political alliances, notably the failed partnership between the BSP and the Samajwadi Party (SP) ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The alliance, once seen as a formidable force capable of challenging the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, ultimately fell apart. In the booklet, Mayawati attributes the breakdown to a lack of communication from Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who, according to her, stopped answering her calls. This communication breakdown, she claims, forced the BSP to withdraw from the alliance—a move she frames as one made out of self-respect. By bringing up the collapse of the alliance, Mayawati seeks to remind voters of her independence and self-reliance as a leader, further distinguishing herself from her political rivals.
Despite Mayawati’s efforts to reposition the BSP, the party faces significant challenges. One of the primary obstacles is the erosion of its traditional vote bank. The BSP, which once commanded a substantial base among Dalit voters, has seen a significant portion of these votes shift toward the BJP in recent elections.
In a notable shift in strategy, Mayawati has announced that the BSP will contest the upcoming by-elections.
Historically, the party has refrained from participating in by-polls, preferring to focus its resources on general elections. However, the recent electoral setbacks and the changing political landscape in Uttar Pradesh have prompted a reassessment of this approach. By contesting the by-elections, Mayawati hopes to reenergise the party’s cadre and send a message to her supporters that the BSP is still in the fight. The by-elections offer the BSP an opportunity to test its new strategies and alliances in a smaller electoral context before the next general elections. By doing so, the party can identify its strengths and weaknesses, allowing it to adjust its tactics in preparation for larger electoral battles.
Additionally, Mayawati’s decision to contest the by-elections is about more than just winning seats—it’s also about reinvigorating the party’s organisational strength. In recent years, the BSP’s grassroots machinery has weakened, with many party workers becoming disillusioned after a series of electoral defeats. By throwing the party into the by-election fray, Mayawati aims to revive its organisational structure and prepare it for future contests. Mayawati’s messaging, as outlined in the newly released booklet, signals her determination to reclaim the BSP’s former electoral strength.
Through a combination of symbolic language, critiques of her rivals, and a recalibrated strategy, she hopes to reposition the BSP as a force to be reckoned with in Uttar Pradesh politics. The upcoming by-elections will serve as a crucial test for the party’s new approach and could determine whether Mayawati is successful in her efforts to revitalise her support base and counter growing competition from both established and emerging political players.
(The writer is an Associate Editor, of The Pioneer; views are personal)
