Mayawati rules out state poll pacts in blow to Congress

AGGRESSIVE STANCE BSP supremo alleges sabotage as uncertainty stalks 2019 grand alliance, blames Digvijaya

In a setback to efforts for Opposition unity ahead of state polls leading up to the 2019 general elections, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Wednesday ruled out an alliance with the Congress in two key states and launched a furious attack on the leadership of the grand old party.

The Congress is two steps ahead of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in attempts to finish the BSP politically, Mayawati said in a statement read out to ANI, accusing it of trying to undermine other Opposition parties. The Congress reacted cautiously, expressing the hope that differences will be sorted out.

“In the interest of the BSP movement, it has been decided that the party would not ally with the Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan at any cost,” Mayawati said. “In Karnataka, we tied up with a regional party. In Chhattisgarh too, we did the same. In Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, we may go with regional parties there, but certainly not with Congress.”

MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are key states that will vote later this year in what is a precursor to next year’s Lok Sabha polls. Mayawati’s decision to spurn a tie-up with the Congress in MP and Rajasthan, on top of Chhattisgarh, bodes ill for Opposition unity in the Lok Sabha polls and could be a morale-booster for the BJP-led NDA.

Her snub to the Congress could also cast a shadow on efforts to forge a Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) of Opposition parties, including the BSP, Samajwadi Party and the Congress, in the Lok Sabha elections from BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, which sends more MPs (80) than any other state to the 543-member Lok Sabha. Significantly, Mayawati spared Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his mother and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi from her tirade, in which she principally targeted senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, whom she called a “BJP agent who is opposed” to any tie-up between the two parties.

“I feel Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi’s intentions for Congress-BSP alliance are honest. But some Congress leaders are sabotaging this,” Mayawati said.

The Congress was encouraged by her seemingly conciliatory remarks towards its top leadership. “She has expressed mutual respect and reposed her confidence in Soniaji and Rahulji,” Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala told reporters. “That is the most important issue rather than reading multiple meanings in her statement. We respect her sentiments,” Surjewala said.

I feel Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi’s intentions for CongressBSP alliance are honest. But some Congress leaders are sabotaging this

MAYAWATI, BSP chief

If the three leaders (Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mayawati) are on the same page, no fourth person can disturb that equation

RS SURJEWALA, Congress leader

I am saying even today...it (Congress) should contest elections by taking along all the political parties who have similar thoughts and ideology

AKHILESH YADAV, SP chief