The state remains pivotal in determining who will form the next government at the centre
There could have been no better photo-opportunity for the Bahujan Samaj Party-Samajwadi Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal gathbandhan (alliance) in Uttar Pradesh than BSP supremo Mayawati sharing a stage with SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav in Mainpuri on April 19, 24 years after the infamous Lucknow guest-house incident when the two parted company. The SP bastion voted on April 23, in the third phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha election, and prior to that BSP leader was in Mainpuri to canvass for Mulayam. Hailing Mulayam as the “asli, vastavik, janam jatiya pichhre varg ka leader (real, original, natural-born backward class leader)”, Mayawati called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “nakli, farzi (false, fraud) backward class leader”, accusing him of co-opting his Modh-Ganchi caste into the backward class list when he was the chief minister of Gujarat.
Mulayam doesn’t exactly need Mayawati to campaign for him in Mainpuri. The SP has won the constituency six times in a row, four times under Mulayam. With Yadavs making up almost 35 per cent of its voters, Rajputs 20 per cent and the Dalits, Brahmins, Shakyas and Muslims forming the other dominant groups, the BJP has never been able to win Mainpuri. Even during the 2014 Modi wave, Mulayam won his seat with a record margin.
What, then, is the significance of Mayawati campaigning for Mulayam in the SP pocket borough? “The Mayawati-Mulayam reunion is a historic moment aligning the leaders of two communities that have been oppressed for long,” says SP national secretary Abhishek Mishra. “The coming together of former rivals has led to the emergence of a powerful vikalp (alternative) in Uttar Pradesh.”
This story is from the May 06, 2019 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 06, 2019 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Rarefied Realm
For the 28th time, INDIA TODAY takes stock of the best institutes in 14 streams so that the Class of 2024 can have a clear view of its future and work towards it
NEET Gets Messy
What went wrong with entrance exams like NEET this year and how it affected the ambitions of millions of students
IN GOOD COMPANY
SSCBS students study an updated syllabus that braids theory with practice and get to pick the latest courses. These and the school's industry connections help guide young graduates towards leading MNCs
THE CODE OF QUALITY
Keeping pace with the rapidly evolving technologies through close ties with industry veterans and alumni, the Department of Computer Science at Christ is ensuring its students are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities that await them
THE ULTIMATE IN HOSPITALITY
Hotel management institutes are staying abreast of the latest trends, offering new courses ina variety of allied disciplines
THE FASHION TOPPER
Hands-on training, networking and mentorship opportunities with industry insiders and strong research projects contribute to NIFT Delhi's preeminence in fashion education in the country
BROADCASTING BRILLIANCE
With its cutting-edge programmes that embrace industry advancements, IIMC continues to be a preferred choice for mass communication students
COURTING DISTINCTION
The institute is gearing up its students with knowledge of new-age tools like Gen Al to prepare them for the legal battles of the future
THE HUMANE TOUCH
Field work and the exposure beyond book learning is what arms TISS graduates with the confidence to get on top of any situation
HIGHRISE OF INNOVATION
Swearing by sustainability, and fusing theoretical rigour with practice in its latest design studios and high-end labs, the Department of Architecture and Planning at IIT Roorkee prepares for the future with care