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Mayawati’s statement comes amid speculation of a potential understanding between the BSP and the AIMIM led by Asaduddin Owaisi
The BSP chief also addressed criticism over her recent allotment of a Type-8 bungalow in Delhi. (File photo)
Rejecting rumours that the Bahujan Samaj Party may contest the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections in alliance with other parties, Mayawati on Wednesday categorically announced that the BSP will go solo in the upcoming polls. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, the former chief minister termed reports of a possible tie-up as “false, fabricated and part of a conspiracy” designed to mislead party workers and voters.
Her clarification comes amid speculation of a potential understanding between the BSP and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) led by Asaduddin Owaisi. The buzz had further intensified after Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party (SP) recently hinted at the possibility of renewed ties, stating that “alliances are formed and broken” and recalling past political collaborations with BSP.
Mayawati, however, left little room for ambiguity. She said the party’s decision to contest independently had already been announced multiple times, including at the October 9, 2025, rally in Lucknow held on the death anniversary of BSP founder Kanshi Ram. “There is no scope for further discussion. Some leaders and sections of the media are deliberately spreading such rumours. They should avoid flying like a cut kite and making a mockery of themselves,” she said.
Security, Bungalow Row and Political Messaging
The BSP chief also addressed criticism over her recent allotment of a Type-8 bungalow in Delhi. She clarified that similar high-security accommodations had been provided to her since the Congress regime due to security concerns arising after the June 2, 1995, Lucknow State Guest House incident, when she was allegedly attacked by SP workers after withdrawing support from the SP government.
“Several bungalows were earlier allotted by the BJP government, but they were not accepted or were vacated due to security reasons. I have now been allotted an appropriate Type-8 bungalow, which I have accepted. There should be no dirty politics over this,” she said, adding that her security cover has been enhanced over the years.
‘Selfish Leaders Spreading Alliance Talk’
Taking aim at rival formations, Mayawati accused “selfish leaders” of intentionally floating alliance rumours to create confusion. She alleged that SP, Congress, and BJP have historically harboured an anti-Ambedkar mindset and seek alliances with BSP purely for electoral arithmetic.
“These parties approach BSP only for their political and vote-bank interests. Such alliances have never benefited our movement,” she said. Urging party workers to stay focused on the 2027 mission, she asked them to ignore “baseless and fabricated narratives” and “move forward with the calm and steady gait of the elephant”, invoking the BSP’s symbol.
She also cautioned that as elections draw closer, rival parties would intensify tactics of “persuasion, pressure, punishment and division” to derail BSP’s independent campaign. Calling upon Ambedkarites nationwide, she urged them to trust the party’s “iron leadership” and work towards strengthening the movement of dignity and self-respect envisioned by Babasaheb.
Political Significance of Going Solo
Political analysts called the announcement a calculated move to reclaim BSP’s standalone identity after years of fluctuating electoral fortunes. Dr Shashikant Pandey, Head of the Department of Political Science at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, described the declaration as both symbolic and strategic.
“Mayawati’s insistence on contesting alone is aimed at consolidating the party’s core Dalit vote base, which she believes gets diluted in alliances. At the same time, it sends a message that BSP wants to negotiate from strength rather than dependence,” Dr Pandey said.
He added that her repeated reference to the party’s 2007 full majority victory is not accidental. “By invoking 2007, she is reminding voters that BSP once secured power independently. The message is about restoring organisational confidence and reviving the psychological appeal of a single-party majority,” he explained.
February 18, 2026, 21:53 IST
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