March 02, 2025

आकाश आनंद पर क्यों टूटा मायावती का भरोसा?

Often viewed as a strong, trusted leader, Mayawati, the chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), stands reliable to many. However, her decision to sever alliance with her long-standing associate, Samajwadi Party (SP), for a partnership with Ajit Jogi’s Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC) has raised eyebrows. One question that springs up is – why did she shatter her trust with Akhilesh Yadav and the SP? 

It is common knowledge that SP and BSP, which are centered on serving underserved communities, form a political alliance in Uttar Pradesh. Indeed, their coalition in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was viewed as a substantial threat to the ruling BJP party in the state. Unsurprisingly, Mayawati’s command over the alliance also proved to be short term as she canceled the coalition few months later. 

Given the forthcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh next year, this new development from Mayawati’s side seems to be quite perplexing. Was this a move to increase advantage at the expense of betraying trust? Or a well calculated step? Let's have a closer look.

One of the primary reasons given for the fracture of the alliance is the absence of faith and trust between the two parties. There were several instances when the BSP thought that the SP was placing them as a secondary partner and was not involving them in critical issues. This made the BSP feel cornered and ignored, which led to the dissolution of the alliance.

In addition, Mayawati believed that the SP was inadequate in curbing the violence and criminal acts directed at the Dalits in the state. As a leader of the underprivileged classes, such a thought is most definitely of importance to her. She considered the alliance with the SP as not enhancing her party's vote base and harming their image.

Another possible factor that may have impacted Mayawati’s decision is the recent alliance by the SP with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and the Congress for the forthcoming elections. This alliance was dubious for the BSP as it threatened their vote bank since it focused on the same inferior castes which the BSP caters to. Given the situation, it was rational for Mayawati to seek an alliance with a party which will not adversely affect their vote bank.

The JCC, headed by Ajit Jogi, is a new political party in Chhattisgarh, but is quite strong in the tribal areas of the state. With the alliance of the JCC, Mayawati is not only deepening the penetration of her party, but is also soliciting the endorsement of a large section of the tribes in the state.

In addition, by forming an alliance with a party in another state, Mayawati has also sought to send a message to the regional parties that the BSP is willing to expand beyond its borders in order to meet its political objectives. This development can also provide new options for the BSP in the future and enhance the prospects of coalition politics at the national level.

To summarize, Mayawati’s decision to dissolve the partnership with the SP and the JCC’s decision to form an alliance is a calculation to promote her party’s interests and also to win over other neglected constituency groups. While it may have created friction with the other party, it is an important step for the BSP in realizing its mandate goal of serving the most disenfranchised and marginalized people in the state and outside in the country.