Mayawati’s Lucknow rally draws lakhs, seen as BSP’s big comeback push

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati addressed a massive rally at the Kanshiram Smarak in Lucknow on Wednesday, demonstrating her political strength.

The event drew lakhs of supporters from five states, including Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana. The crowd, comprising people from diverse communities, completely filled the venue, which has a capacity of around 1.5 lakh.

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The massive gathering caused significant traffic congestion in surrounding areas, reflecting the fervent enthusiasm of the attendees.

Marking a historic first for the BSP, several senior party leaders shared the stage with Mayawati. A special chair was reserved for her, while sofas were arranged for prominent leaders representing various communities. Among them were Muslim leaders Munqad Ali, Nausad Ali, and Shamsuddin; Dalit leaders Anand (Mayawati’s brother), Akash, Girish Chandra Jatav, and Dhanshyam Chandra Kharwar; along with leaders from the OBC and general categories such as Satish Chandra Mishra, Umashankar Singh, and Vishwanath Pal.
With this rally, she portyared inclusive representation on stage which was a rare and significant gesture.

Extensive security measures were in place, given the large crowd, with approximately 5,000 police personnel and over 2,000 BSP volunteers deployed to maintain order. Even after the event ended, supporters continued to arrive at the venue, reflecting the enthusiasm and renewed energy among the party ranks.

Since losing power in Uttar Pradesh in 2012, the BSP’s political base has steadily eroded. The party secured only one assembly seat in the 2022 elections and failed to open its account in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. However, the unprecedented turnout at this rally has reignited hope within the BSP for a possible revival ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.

Former Faizabad district president Om Prakash Verma recited a poem during the rally and declared, “Behenji will once again become Chief Minister in 2027.” Ayodhya Metropolitan President Ranjeet Sonkar added, “We are here to make Mayawati the Chief Minister without any alliance or outside support.” A supporter from Baghpat said confidently, “This is just a trailer — the real picture will be seen in 2027.”

The event has reignited hopes among BSP loyalists, who see it as the beginning of a possible resurgence for Mayawati and her party in Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape.