Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati. File
| Photo Credit: ANI

Ahead of the Assembly elections in Haryana, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Monday (September 23, 2024) urged Dalit leaders to sever ties with the Congress and other “casteist parties” and follow the path laid down by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

The comments come amid attempts by the alliance of the BSP and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) to position itself as a pro-Dalit alternative in Haryana.

In a series of posts on X, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister accused the Congress and other “casteist parties” of using Dalit leaders only in times of trouble and later marginalising them.

Haryana Assembly elections | An overview of the field ahead of the polls

She said in Hindi, “The political developments in the country so far have proven that the Congress and other casteist parties only remember Dalits during their bad days and appoint them as Chief Ministers or to other key organisational positions temporarily. But, in their good days, these parties mostly sideline Dalits and replace them with casteist individuals, as is currently being witnessed in Haryana,” she added.

Mayawati also called on Dalit leaders to take inspiration from Ambedkar and distance themselves from such parties. “These humiliated Dalit leaders should be inspired by their messiah, Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and detach themselves from these parties. They should also work to keep their communities away from these parties,” she said.

Drawing a parallel with Ambedkar’s resignation from the Central Government, Mayawati invoked her own decision to resign from the Rajya Sabha in 2017 over the violence against Dalits in Saharanpur.

“Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar resigned from the post of Union Law Minister for the sake of self-respect and dignity of the weaker sections. Inspired by him, I also resigned from the Rajya Sabha when I wasn’t allowed to speak on the atrocities against Dalits in Saharanpur. Hence, I advise Dalits to follow in his footsteps,” she said.

Mayawati also accused the Congress of being “historically opposed” to reservation for Dalits and other backward communities.

Targeting Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, she said, “The Congress and other casteist parties have always been against reservation. LoP Rahul Gandhi even went abroad and announced the intention to abolish reservation. People should remain cautious of such anti-Constitution, anti-reservation and anti-SC, ST, OBC parties.”

Elections to the 90-member Haryana Assembly will be held on October 5 and the results declared on October 8.

Lucknow:

BSP president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati expressed concern over “rising” crimes against women across the country and questioned governments’ intentions and policies on women’s safety.

“It is very sad to indulge in narrow politics of allegations and counter-allegations on the increasing incidents of crimes against women across the country including UP, Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka, whereas this is the time for serious thinking whether there is a grave flaw in the intentions and policies of governments regarding women’s safety and respect?” the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief said in a post on ‘X’ in Hindi on Sunday.

1. यूपी, बंगाल, ओडिसा, कर्नाटक समेत देश भर में महिलाओं के साथ दिल दहला देने वाली बढ़ती घटनाओं को लेकर आरोप-प्रत्यारोप की संकीर्ण राजनीति करना अति-दुखद, जबकि यह समय गंभीर चिन्तन का है कि महिला सुरक्षा एवं सम्मान को लेकर सरकारों की नीयत व नीति में अत्याधिक खोट तो नहीं? 1/2

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) September 22, 2024

She said that prima facie the “negligence” of governments and the “involvement” of police in such heinous crimes happening one after the other is making the situation even more serious.

“It is very important for everyone to abandon this negligence and be impartial and serious so that the state and the country can be saved from the disrepute caused by such heinous crimes,” Mayawati said in her series of posts on ‘X’.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Lucknow:

BSP president Mayawati on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court’s observation on the demolition of houses of those involved in criminal cases and said that the families of criminals should not be punished for their deeds.

With several state administrations bulldozing the houses of those involved in criminal cases, the Supreme Court on Monday asked how anybody’s house can be demolished just because he is an accused.

The court said it would lay down the guidelines on the issue that would be enforceable across the country.

“Action against criminal elements in the country should be taken under the law and their families and close ones should not be punished for their crimes. Our party’s government in the state had shown this by establishing the rule of law through law,” Mayawati said in a series of posts on X in Hindi.

“Bulldozers should also be used now as per the decision of the Supreme Court. However, it would be better if there was no need to use them because criminal elements could also be dealt with under strict laws.

“Instead of using bulldozers on the families and close ones of criminal elements, strict action should be taken against the concerned officials who, in collusion with such elements, do not give proper justice to the victims. All governments must pay attention to this,” she said.

The Supreme Court’s observation came during a hearing on petitions filed by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and others seeking directions to various state governments to ensure that no further demolition of properties of those accused in cases of rioting and violence takes place.

The court, however, said it would not protect any unauthorised construction or encroachment on public roads. 

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Lucknow:

BSP supremo Mayawati on Thursday said incidents of crime against women were “extremely worrying”, and asked political parties to rise above party politics and take “strict steps” to prevent them.

Her remarks come against the backdrop of the nationwide outcry over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and also cases of rape of girls in other parts of the country.

“The incidents of rape, murder and suicide, especially of innocent girls and women, happening in Bengal, Badlapur in Maharashtra, Bihar, and Kannauj, Agra and Farrukhabad districts of Uttar Pradesh are extremely sad and worrying,” the former chief minister said on X.

1. देश में कभी बंगाल, कभी महाराष्ट्र के बदलापुर, कभी बिहार में तो कभी यूपी के कन्नौज, आगरा व फर्रूखाबाद ज़िले आदि में भी मासूम बच्चियों नाबालिग़ व महिलाओं पर ख़ासकर रेप, हत्या व आत्महत्या आदि की हो रही घटनाएं अति-दुःखद व चिन्ताजनक। 1/2

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) August 29, 2024

“The Centre and all state governments should rise above party politics and take strict steps in this matter so that such incidents stop happening. Politics should not be done in its guise. This is the need of the hour and also in the interest of women,” she added.

2. केन्द्र व सभी राज्य सरकारें, इस मामले में दलगत राजनीति से ऊपर उठकर सख़्त कदम उठाएं, ताकि ऐसी घटनायें जल्दी होना बन्द हो, ना कि इसकी आड़ में राजनीति की जाए, यही समय की मांग है तथा यही महिलाओं के हित में भी है। 2/2

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) August 29, 2024

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Lucknow:

Mayawati was unanimously re-elected as the national president of the BSP, the party said here on Tuesday.

The decision was taken during a special meeting of the BSP Central Executive Committee (CEC) and senior national-level office bearers and state party units and representatives selected from all over the country, it said.

Mayawati, 68, is a four-time former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. BSP founder Kanshi Ram had declared her as his political successor over two decades ago.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday demanded a defamation case be filed against Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Rajesh Chaudhary for making ‘derisive and derogatory’ remarks against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati.

The Samajwadi Party leader shared a video from a news channel in which the BJP MLA could be heard saying, “While there is no doubt that Mayawati has been the Chief Minister of UP for four times, it was the BJP which made her the Chief Minister for the first time. We made that mistake.”

Mr Chaudhary also called Mayawati “the most corrupt Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh”.

Taking strong objection to the BJP MLA’s remarks against the BSP supremo, Akhilesh Yadav said, “Political differences have their place, but no one has the right to tarnish her dignity as a woman.”

Terming Mr Chaudhary’s comments baseless and highly objectionable, Akhilesh Yadav demanded to initiate legal action against the BJP legislator from Mant Assembly constituency.

“The BJP is saying that they made a mistake by making her the Chief Minister… This is also an insult to the public opinion in a democratic country. To baselessly accuse her of being the most corrupt Chief Minister is extremely objectionable,” the SP chief said.

“A defamation case should be filed against the BJP MLA for his statement made publicly. By giving shelter to such MLAs, the BJP is hurting the dignity of women. If the BJP does not take immediate disciplinary action against such leaders, it should be understood that this was not the personal opinion of any MLA, but that of the entire BJP,” Akhilesh Yadav claimed.

Meanwhile, the ‘unexpected’ support from the SP chief invited words of praise and admiration from Mayawati, giving rise to speculation of a thaw in the ‘Bua-Bhatija’ ties.

In a post on X thanking Akhilesh Yadav for voicing his support, Mayawati said, “The SP chief has responded to the false allegations levelled by the BJP MLA from Mathura district, acknowledging the truth about the BSP chief’s honesty. The party is grateful for this.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

One of the accused involved in the murder of the Tamil Nadu BSP Chief was killed in an encounter with the police in Chennai late last evening, officials have said. 

Police sources said Thiruvengadam was taken to the spot to recover weapons used in the killing of K Armstrong when he fired at the police officials with the recovered gun.

He was injured in the retaliatory firing and rushed to the hospital. “He was declared brought dead by the doctors,” officials said.

K Armstrong was hacked to death by six bike-borne men near his house in Chennai earlier this month.

The six men attacked Armstrong when he was having a discussion with a few party functionaries near his house in the city’s Sembium area and then fled. The family rushed him to a hospital, but he was declared brought dead.

Thiruvengadam was one of the suspects arrested allegedly for K Armstrong’s murder.

A lawyer, Armstrong was elected to the Chennai Corporation Council in 2006. He shot to fame after he organised a mega rally in Chennai two years ago and invited BSP chief Mayawati.

BSP chief Mayawati has demanded a CBI investigation into the attack. “I urge the state government, especially the Chief Minister, to ensure law and order in the state. The weaker sections, in particular, should feel safe. Had the government been serious, the accused would have been arrested. Since that is not the case, we urge the state government to refer the case to the CBI,” she had said.

Chennai:

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday demanded a CBI probe into the death of her party’s Tamil Nadu president K Armstrong, who was hacked to death in Chennai on Friday.

She claimed those who have been arrested so far were not the real culprits and urged Chief Minister MK Stalin to refer the probe to the central agency to ensure justice for the victim.

Mayawati, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, paid homage to Armstrong here and placed a wreath before the body of the 52-year-old leader at a private school in Perambur in the city.

Expressing anguish over Armstrong’s death, she also said the way he was killed, by a group of assailants late in the evening, showed “there was nothing called law and order” in the state.

Mr Stalin must ensure justice for Armstrong and transfer the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation, he said.

“The way he was killed, shows there is nothing called law and order in Tamil Nadu. Those who have killed him, the real culprits have not been nabbed,” she said.

“The real culprits have not been nabbed. Transfer the probe to CBI. We are not hopeful that the state government will ensure justice. So, refer the matter to CBI immediately,” she demanded.

The BSP leader further said Dalits all over the state were apprehensive following Armstrong’s killing and urged the Chief Minister to ensure their safety.

The BSP has taken the matter seriously, but party workers should not take law and order into their hands, she said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Lucknow:

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP chief Mayawati on Saturday demanded strict action against Suraj Pal Singh, the self-styled godman who is worshipped by his followers as ‘Bhole Baba’, in the Hathras stampede tragedy that claimed 121 lives.

The BSP chief also advised the poor, Dalits, and the oppressed in the country not to get misled by the superstition and hypocrisy of “babas”.

“The poor, Dalits, and the oppressed in the country should not increase their pain and suffer by getting misled by the superstition and hypocrisy of many Babas like Bhole Baba of Hathras to get rid of their poverty and all other problems, this is the advice,” she posted on X.

“Rather, by following the path shown by Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, they will have to change their own destiny by taking power into their own hands, that is, they will have to join their own party BSP, only then they can avoid incidents like Hathras in which 121 people died, which is very worrying,” Mayawati added.

She further said that the government should not be lax in such situations and take strict action against the guilty.

“In the Hathras case, strict action should be taken against Baba Bhole and others who are guilty. Action should be taken against other such Babas as well. In this case, the government should not be lax in its political interests so that no more people have to lose their lives,” the BSF chief wrote on X.

Meanwhile, the self-styled godman broke his silence on Saturday in connection with the Hathras stampede in which 121 people, mostly women and children, died, stating that “those who created the chaos will not be spared.”

In a video statement, Suraj Pal – who also goes by the name Narayan Sakar Hari – expressed his grief and condoled the deaths at the tragedy that took place earlier this week during a ‘Satsang’ in Fulari village in Hathras district.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati’s nephew Akash Anand is no longer her political heir or the party’s National Coordinator. The 29-year-old got sacked this evening, days after his comment comparing the BJP with Taliban. There is a hope of reprieve though, his aunt indicated.  

“In the same sequence, along with promoting other people in the party, I declared Shri Akash Anand as the National Coordinator and successor, but in the larger interest of the party and the movement, he is being separated from both these important responsibilities until he attains full maturity,” the BSP chief posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Mr Anand’s comments about the BJP had made headlines last week. A case was filed against him for Model Code violation.

“This government is a bulldozer government and a government of traitors,” he had said.

“The party that leaves its youth hungry and enslaves its elderly is a terrorist government. Taliban runs such a government in Afghanistan,” the BSP leader had added. The BJP is a party of thieves that took Rs 6,000 crore through electoral bonds, he further alleged.

The district administration took note of the speech and a case of Model Code of Conduct violation was filed against Mr Anand and four others on Sunday. Three of the others were party candidates and the fourth was a leader who organised the rally where Mr Anand was speaking.

Ms Mayawati had named her nephew as her political heir in December last year.

Akash Anand had officially entered politics in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Before that he had attended multiple BSP events and accompanied his aunt on the campaign for the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly election.