Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Thursday rejected Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s call for a united opposition against the BJP, accusing the Congress of "double standards" in its approach toward her party.
Responding to Gandhi’s remarks, Mayawati took to X to criticise the Congress's political strategy.
"In Congress-ruled states or in states where Congress is strong, it nurtures hatred and a casteist mentality towards BSP and its supporters. But in Uttar Pradesh, where Congress is not so strong, it begins to talk of an alliance with BSP. If this is not hypocrisy, then what is?" she stated.
The erstwhile Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh also accused that Congress-led alliances had in the past prejudiced the BSP. "Wherever BSP has formed an alliance with caste-based parties like Congress in UP and other states, our traditional voter base was given to them, but their votes have never turned back in favour of the BSP. This has always resulted in defeat for our party," she said.
Mayawati also reiterated her criticism of both Congress and the BJP, accusing them of being opposed to the ideals of Dr B.R. Ambedkar and the welfare of Dalit-Bahujan communities.
"The behavior, nature, and policies of the Congress and BJP have always been against Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, his followers, and the BSP leadership. Their opposition to the reservation and the rights of Dalit-Bahujans has prevented the country from realizing the egalitarian vision enshrined in the Constitution," she added.
Her reaction followed Rahul Gandhi, while he was in Raebareli on Thursday, labeling BSP as the "B-team of the BJP" and calling upon Mayawati to join Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) to counter the ruling party.
Interacting with Dalit youth in his constituency, Gandhi discussed issues related to Mayawati's political line. "There are doubts why Bahenji (Mayawati) is not fighting it out hard against the BJP. We invite her to join us in the fight. If Congress, SP, and BSP unite, the BJP will not survive," he said.
