Akhilesh says his party’s victory in bypolls shows that BJP can be defeated in LS polls
Bahujan Samaj Party candidate Bhimrao Ambedkar's defeat at the hands of BJP in Rajya Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh due to cross-voting by a BSP MLA has only served to further seal the recent SP-BSP alliance, with leaders of both the parties proclaiming their intent to continue the alliance till 2019 general elections.
BJP for its part has been quick to raise the leadership issue in any long-term alliance between SP and BSP, both traditional rivals in the state's politics.
A day after BSP chief Mayawati went hammer and tongs against the BJP, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah of using the system to make their candidates win, former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday joined in asserting that the defeat has further united the two parties for next polls.
"The character of BJP, which misuses money and power against the poor, stands exposed in the RS polls. Due to the conspiracy being hatched by BJP against the election of a Dalit, the SP-BSP unity has strengthened for next polls," Yadav said.
He also called SP's victory in Phulpur and Gorakhpur parliamentary seats a "big one", saying it has sent out a message all over the country that the BJP can be defeated in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Mayawati, giving clear signals of her intent to continue the alliance with SP for 2019 general elections, had on Saturday said the defeat of the BSP candidate would not impact its alliance with SP.
BSP's Bhimrao Ambedkar lost after party MLA Anil Singh voted for the BJP. Earlier the SP-BSP alliance had defeated BJP in Phulpur and Gorakhpur LS seats despite the latter being a bastion of CM Yogi Adityanath.
Indication of continuance of the alliance despite Ambedkar losing in RS has warmed many hearts in the Opposition camp. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday greeted Mayawati on her pitch to continue the allinace and called it "mission for the nation".
But a closer look at the unfolding events shows that both parties have possibly no other alteranative than to come together, what with their social bases narrowing down.
The spectacular victory of the BJP in 2017 assembly polls in the state deepened the impression of SP as a 'Yadav' party and BSP as a 'Jatav' party, with considerable chunks of non- Jatav and non-Yadav votes shifting to BJP, which already has a strong base among the upper castes and vaishyas.
While the coming together of SP and BSP in the general elections will no doubt pose a challenge to BJP, there is also a possibility of smaller caste groups among OBCs and dalits shifting to BJP with greater venegenance, unless Akhilesh Yadav and Maywati reach out to them.
Kurmis, another backward class, has shown preference for BJP in last few elections.
Much also depends on the role of local BJP MPs, many of whom won riding the Modi wave in 2014.
FRIENDS IN NEED
- BSP chief Mayawati on Saturday said the defeat of its candidate in RS polls would not affect its alliance with SP.
- Akhilesh Yadav said SP’s recent wins in Phulpur and Gorakhpur has sent out the message that the BJP can be defeated in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
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