Mayawati dubs NDA, I-N-D-I-A blocs 'casteist', 'communal'; rules out alliance

BSP Supremo Mayawati/ Pic/X

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 I-N-D-I-A alliance. She made the comments in a series of posts on microblogging site X, a day ahead of the I-N-D-I-A 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 I-N-D-I-A blocs consist of parties most of which have "anti-poor, casteist, communal, pro-rich and capitalist policies" against which the BSP's struggle continues. "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.

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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 I-N-D-I-A 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 -- India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I-N-D-I-A). 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.