Farmers Movement Archive

UP: BSP cadre in a flux over political alignment, leadership transition

LUCKNOW: The UP assembly elections are now less than a year away, but Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) cadres are befuddled about the party leadership succession plan as well as its confusing stand vis-a-vis BJP, which is in power both at Centre and in the state. BSP supremo Mayawati has been supporting the Union government on various issues and is not inclined at all to ally with Congress or Samajwadi Party for the 2022 polls, and rather sees them as rivals fighting for the same votes. BSP workers and staunch supporters are hence in a dilemma; whether to go full throttle in opposing BJP and targeting the government or not. BJP has already hit poll campaign mode with celebrations of its fourth year in term while SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is touring extensively and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is attending kisan panchayats, seeking a pie of votes of farmers protesting against farm laws. Mayawati has, however, restricted herself to making occasional press statements in an advisory tone to governments and sharing views via tweets, giving rivals the opportunity of calling BSP the B-team of BJP. Besides, there has been no clarity on succession in leadership since Mayawati’s nephew Akash Kumar has failed to may any impact since being tipped to take the mantle from her. Akash was appointed party’s national coordinator by Mayawati with much fanfare before 2019 polls, pitchforking him to a role where he was seen as her successor for taking over the reigns. Akash, however, has not made any key contribution and has not lived up to the expectations of cadres who want a dynamic leadership to take on Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar who is trying to wean away votes from BSP, says a political analyst. Since BSP has been out of power for eight years now, the 2022 elections would be a battle of survival for it since its foot soldiers are turning restless. Realising her growing age, Maywati had tried to hand over the reins to her brother Anand Kumar and had appointed him as party’s national vice-president but removed him after severe criticism over starting dynasty rule in BSP, and had reinstated him later. Anand had retreated after the Income Tax department raided his residence.

The Times of India

2021-03-26

Lucknow