SP fears BSP most, says Akash Anand, warns voters against 'deceptive' party

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national coordinator Akash Anand on Monday said the Samajwadi Party (SP) was "most afraid" of his party and urged voters to be wary of the SP's "deceptive" and "narrow casteist" politics. Addressing a party workers' conference in Hathras, he said that BSP chief Mayawati had done the most for the uplift of Dalits and had always cautioned people against the SP's tactics.

"Samajwadi Party fears BSP the most. It was Mayawatiji who worked the most for the uplift of Dalits. That's why SP members keep shouting 'PDA, PDA'," Mr. Anand said, referring to the SP's Pichchda, Dalit, Alpsankhyank (Backwards, Dalits and minorities) plank. He added that Mayawati "always cautions people from all walks of life to be wary of the deceptive SP and its narrow casteist politics."

The PDA plank has been the key campaign strategy of the SP, led by former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, to build a coalition of non-Yadav OBCs, Dalits and minorities. The BSP, historically rooted in Dalit politics and led by Mayawati, has traditionally contested the SP for the same voter base in Uttar Pradesh. Mr. Anand's remarks reflect a renewed effort by the BSP to assert its claim as the primary representative of Dalits in the State.

Turning his fire on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Uttar Pradesh government, Mr. Anand accused it of failing on employment, education and law and order. He alleged that the State government had spent more than ₹7,000 crore on advertisements over the past decade to "hide its shortcomings". He also claimed that more than four lakh government posts were lying vacant, and that several competitive examinations had witnessed paper leaks.

The allegations add to the growing criticism by opposition parties against the Yogi Adityanath government over its governance record. The BSP, which once ruled Uttar Pradesh with a massive majority, has seen its electoral strength dwindle in recent Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, while the SP has positioned itself as the main opposition to the BJP. The sharp exchange of words between the BSP and SP is not unusual, as both parties have historically been rivals for the same social base.

Hathras, a district in western Uttar Pradesh, has been a significant political battleground, with the BSP historically maintaining a strong presence there. Mr. Anand, who has been serving as the party's national coordinator, has been actively involved in organisational work across the State. His speech comes at a time when political parties are attempting to consolidate their support bases ahead of future electoral contests.

Mr. Anand did not provide evidence for his claims about advertisement expenditure or vacant posts. Responses from the SP and the Uttar Pradesh government were awaited at the time of writing.