Mayawati turns a corner as a stark realisation sets in

Mayawati-led BSP's performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was dismal, marking a steep decline from previous years.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief Mayawati, who has long sought to broaden her party’s appeal beyond its core Dalit base, has received a stark message from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The results indicate that the political foundation of her party, which once relied heavily on Dalit votes, has significantly eroded. This realisation is now reflected in her public statements.

In the aftermath of the Lok Sabha elections, Mayawati has consistently emphasised the welfare of the Bahujan Samaj, the broad coalition of marginalised communities that originally formed her party's base. In her recent communications with party workers, the BSP leader has repeatedly invoked the slogan "Bahujan Hitaay, Bahujan Sukhaay" (For the Benefit and Happiness of the dalits), a departure from her earlier mantra that included all social classes, "Sarvajan Hitaay, Sarvajan Sukhaay" (For the Benefit and Happiness of All).

Mayawati's re-election as BSP's national president during a national executive meeting early this week further solidified this shift. In her address, she focused exclusively on the welfare of the Bahujan Samaj, without mentioning the broader Sarvajan agenda that had been a hallmark of her tenure when the BSP governed Uttar Pradesh.

The decline of Sarvajan politics

The change in rhetoric is notable. When the BSP held power in Uttar Pradesh, the government’s motto was inclusive, reflecting a commitment to all social groups. Even as recently as May 2024, before the Lok Sabha election results, Mayawati echoed this inclusive vision in a message issued on Gautam Buddha's birth anniversary. She reminded her supporters that the BSP had governed Uttar Pradesh four times under the ideal of "Sarvajan Hitaay, Sarvajan Sukhaay," striving to establish an egalitarian society.

However, since the Lok Sabha election results, her focus has narrowed to Bahujan interests alone. This shift was evident in her recent national-level address to party members, reflecting a strategic recalibration in response to the electoral outcome.

Kabhi Garam, Kabhi Naram

The lure of the Dalit vote bank is so intense that even Samajwadi Party national President Akhilesh Yadav came out in support of Mayawati when a BJP lawmaker attacked the BSP chief. This may look like a political courtesy, but Akhilesh's statement was aimed at garnering the BSP’s voter base.

The political narrative unfolded recently when Rajesh Chaudhary, a BJP MLA from Mant (Mathura), accused Mayawati of being the most corrupt Chief Minister in the history of Uttar Pradesh. He also labeled the BJP's decision to support her first term as CM as a mistake.

In an unexpected show of solidarity, Akhilesh Yadav publicly defended Mayawati against these allegations. Mayawati expressed her gratitude for Akhilesh's support. The exchange did not stop there; Akhilesh Yadav reciprocated the gesture by thanking Mayawati via a post on X (formerly Twitter). In his message, Akhilesh acknowledged the significance of the protests that had erupted in response to the derogatory remarks made against Mayawati, a respected former Chief Minister from the marginalized and deprived communities.

Political experts believe that the SP leadership is aware that winning over the BSP's voter base requires showing respect and solidarity with Mayawati.

Challenges ahead for BSP

The BSP's performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was dismal, marking a steep decline from previous years. The party, which secured only one seat and 13 percent of the vote in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, was reduced to zero seats with a mere 9.4 percent vote share in 2024.

This decline is particularly concerning in Uttar Pradesh, where Scheduled Castes constitute about 22 percent of the population. Despite the BSP’s efforts to attract Muslim voters by offering a significant number of tickets to members of minority communities, the strategy failed to yield results. Meanwhile, the party’s traditional Dalit vote base appeared to have drifted towards its long-time rivals, the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress.

In the post-election analysis, it became clear that the BSP was perceived as weak and inactive, prompting its voters to seek alternatives in the SP and Congress. This concern led Mayawati to remove her nephew Akash Anand, previously touted as her successor, from his role as National Coordinator during the elections, citing his inexperience.

Renewed focus on electoral politics

To revitalise the party, Mayawati has since reinstated Akash Anand to a significant position, tasking him with activating the organization through electoral politics. By projecting Akash, the BSP aims to demonstrate its commitment to contesting future elections seriously and to rebuild confidence among its disillusioned voter base.

As the BSP grapples with its recent setbacks, Mayawati’s shift in focus reflects a strategic return to her core support base, hoping to regain lost ground in Uttar Pradesh.