Mayawati to go it alone, but open to post-poll pact

BSP chief Mayawati said on Monday that her party would go it alone in Lok Sabha polls. Acknowledging that she has received an invite for the Ram temple consecration on January 22, she said she was yet to decide on her participation.

- NAMITA BAJ PAI

In a statement issued on her 68th birthday, the BSP chief said with people’s support, especially backward communities, Dalits, tribals, Muslims and other religious minorities, she had formed a majority government in UP in 2007. “So, we have decided to contest the Lok Sabha polls alone. We will maintain equidistance between those who are casteist and those who believe in communalism. We will work with all our might to help the BSP get a good result in the elections,” said the former UP CM.