All parties eager for alliance with BSP, but no question of joining hands NDA or INDIA bloc: Mayawati

Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Wednesday said all parties are eager for an alliance with the BSP but there is "no question" of her party joining hands with either the BJP-led NDA or the opposition's INDIA alliance.

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She made the comments in a series of posts on microblogging site X, a day ahead of the INDIA alliance's meeting in Mumbai during which the opposition leaders are expected to chalk out a joint campaign strategy to take on the BJP-led NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Mayawati claimed that both the NDA and the INDIA blocs consist of parties most of which have "anti-poor, casteist, communal, pro-rich and capitalist policies" against which the BSP's struggle continues.

1. एनडीए व इण्डिया गठबंधन अधिकतर गरीब-विरोधी जातिवादी, साम्प्रदायिक, धन्नासेठ-समर्थक व पूंजीवादी नीतियों वाली पार्टियाँ हैं जिनकी नीतियों के विरुद्ध बीएसपी अनवरत संघर्षरत है और इसीलिए इनसे गठबंधन करके चुनाव लड़ने का सवाल ही पैदा नहीं होता। अतः मीडिया से अपील-नो फेक न्यूज प्लीज़।

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) August 30, 2023

"That is why the question of contesting elections in alliance with them does not arise. Hence I appeal to the media: No fake news please," she said.

Although everyone is eager to ally with the BSP, the opposition accuses it of collusion with the BJP if it doesn't ally with them and if it does then "we are secular", Mayawati said, adding, "This is grossly unfair." "The BSP, like in 2007, will single-handedly contest the upcoming Lok Sabha and the upcoming assembly elections in the four by uniting crores of neglected people based on brotherhood. Media should not spread misinformation again and again," she said.

Referring to the expulsion of former minister Imran Masood, the BSP said, "After being expelled by the BSP, the former Saharanpur MLA is busy praising the Congress and the top leaders of that party. As such, it is natural for the people to question why he left the party in the first place and went to another party. How can people trust such people?"

The INDIA bloc's first meeting was held in Patna in June, while the second one took place in Bengaluru in mid-July. The Bengaluru conclave had finalised the name of the alliance -- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

There are speculations of some more regional outfits joining the 26-party opposition alliance at its Mumbai conclave which is the third in a series of meetings held in Patna and Bengaluru.