Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati Friday expressed confidence and satisfaction following a massive show of strength at a rally held in Lucknow on the occasion of party founder Kanshi Ram’s 19th death anniversary on Thursday.
Taking to social media platform X, Mayawati said the unprecedented crowd had left rival parties “sleepless.”
Calling the rally a reflection of the growing unity and determination of the Bahujan community, she declared that the public has made up its mind to bring her to power for a fifth time in Uttar Pradesh.
“The sea of people that gathered in Lucknow is proof of the BSP’s power and the unity of the Bahujan Samaj. The enthusiasm of women and youth, who came from across the state with their hard-earned money, is a sign that the mission to establish ‘Behenji’s government for the fifth time’ is well underway,” she said.
Mayawati urged party workers to stay focused and vigilant as they prepare for the 2027 Assembly elections, cautioning them against the political tactics of rival parties. “Bahujan Samaj is no longer a victim of oppression but is now emerging as a ruling class,” she asserted.
Her speech, however, drew sharp reactions from opposition leaders. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav responded with a cryptic post on X: “Because they have a secret understanding, that’s why they are grateful to those who oppress.”
Yadav’s remarks were seen as a veiled jab at Mayawati’s unexpected praise of the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate accused Mayawati of aligning with the BJP and abandoning the Dalit cause. She criticized her silence on the recent attack on the Chief Justice of India, who hails from the Dalit community, and claimed that it is now Rahul Gandhi who is truly carrying forward Kanshi Ram’s legacy.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh echoed similar sentiments, expressing disappointment that Mayawati failed to speak out on pressing Dalit issues, especially the attack on the CJI.
Meanwhile, leaders from the BJP, including Minister Aseem Arun and MPs Brijmohan Agrawal and Sanjay Nishad, thanked Mayawati for recognizing the current government’s efforts in maintaining Dalit memorials and strengthening the pride of the Scheduled Castes.
One of the most debated aspects of Mayawati’s speech was her appreciation of the upkeep of memorials and parks under the BJP regime, a shift from her usual tone. She sharply criticized the SP for allegedly misappropriating funds collected from entry fees during their rule and accused them of neglecting Dalit monuments.
Former BSP leader and now vocal critic Swami Prasad Maurya lashed out at Mayawati, accusing her of betraying Kanshi Ram’s mission. “She is cozying up to the BJP out of fear of CBI and ED action. If she cannot trust her own nephew Akash Anand, why should the Bahujan community trust her?” he questioned.
Despite the backlash, Mayawati remained defiant. “This is not just a rally, it is a wave of social change that will sweep across the nation from Uttar Pradesh,” she declared. She thanked the lakhs who gathered from all 75 districts of UP and praised BSP office-bearers and workers for making the event a success.
Reaffirming her commitment to the ideals of Kanshi Ram and Dr BR Ambedkar, Mayawati said, “The time to fulfill Babasaheb’s dream is near. We must not be distracted by the opposition’s meaningless rhetoric. Our focus must remain on the mission.”