Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, on Thursday, emphasised the importance of bolstering the party’s presence in light of the current political scenario in Uttar Pradesh.
She criticised both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and opposition parties for focusing on caste-based politics rather than addressing issues affecting the common public at larger. The BSP leader asserted that this narrow approach has led to a lack of public trust in these parties, creating a crucial opportunity for the BSP to connect with voters as the state prepares for upcoming by-elections for 10 assembly seats.
Mayawati made these remarks during a review meeting convened at the party’s state office in Lucknow. Those who attended the meeting included BSP district presidents and zonal coordinators, and senior office-bearers of the party. The meeting was also called to assess progress on the directives issued during a meeting held on August 11 last. This meeting aimed to strengthen the BSP’s organisational framework and expand its outreach across all social strata in the state.
Highlighting the dire socio-economic conditions faced by the people of Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati pointed to rampant poverty, unemployment and soaring inflation as critical issues. She lamented that neither the BJP government nor the opposition has offered effective solutions, leading to deteriorating conditions for nearly 250 million residents.
Mayawati stated that the claims of the government regarding employment and economic stability are inconsequential compared to the massive population’s needs, likening the situation to “a drop in the ocean”.
The former chief minister noted the persistent backlog in government job vacancies and warned that without concrete action, the living conditions of the poor, women and small business owners would continue to suffer.
She exhorted BSP members to work diligently and with integrity at the grassroots level to capitalise on the party’s opportunity in the upcoming by-elections.
Addressing the controversial use of bulldozers by the government, which has come to symbolise state action against encroachments, Mayawati expressed concern about its growing prevalence.
She argued that the Central government should establish uniform guidelines to ensure that such actions are not taken arbitrarily and do not infringe on the rights of citizens. She urged the Supreme Court to intervene to uphold constitutional governance.
In her remarks on the Central cabinet’s recent approval for simultaneous elections at all levels, Mayawati expressed conditional support, stating that any such move must be in the interest of the nation and its citizens.
She also highlighted the critical issue of women’s safety and the alarming rates of violence and exploitation against women in the state, linking these issues to casteist and communal politics that exacerbate the situation.
On the issue of reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, besides a broader vision for social equity, Mayawati reaffirmed the BSP’s commitment to advocating for a national caste census.
She underscored the importance of ensuring that Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes have meaningful and effective participation in governance and administration.
“The BSP aims to convert this vision into reality through concerted efforts at both state and national levels,” she added.
Looking ahead, Mayawati announced plans for the commemoration of the death anniversary of the BSP founder, Kanshi Ram on October 9. She instructed party members to organise the event with dedication, encouraging followers from across the state to pay their respects at significant BSP memorial sites in Lucknow and Noida.
As the political climate in Uttar Pradesh evolves, the BSP under Mayawati’s leadership is keenly positioning itself to reclaim its influence and address the pressing needs of its constituents.
