From margins to mainstream, Mayawati bids for 2027 polls

Rise of majority govts and decline of her party have reduced Mayawati's negotiatory powers, but her electoral presence may still benefit BJP

- AJAY JHA

The Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati has emerged from her prolonged political hibernation with an eye on the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections, determined to revive her dwindling political fortunes.

She chose the death anniversary of BSP founder and her mentor Kanshi Ram for her public comeback and picked the state capital Lucknow to ensure maximum impact.

She wasted no time in launching a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, while offering a backhanded compliment to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. It was clear that her immediate objective was to sow discord in the opposition ranks, which could eventually benefit the BJP as it seeks a third consecutive term in office.

From being a ruling party with a clear majority between 2007 and 2012, the BSP has steadily lost ground. Today, it has just one MLA in the 403-member Assembly and no presence in Parliament. This decline has not deterred Mayawati from issuing a clarion call to party workers to work towards installing her once again as chief minister to safeguard the interests of the Ba-

hujan Samaj-the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other oppressed groups.