'Focus on Yadav Candidates': Mayawati Responds To SP's Jibe Over Akash Anand's Removal – News18

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati’s decision to axe nephew Akash Anand from all posts in the party and as her successor has led to a war of words with the Samajwadi Party. After Mayawati’s big move, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav called it an indication of her party’s eventual loss in the Lok Sabha Election 2024. Responding to Akhilesh’s jibe, Mayawati called the Samajwadi Party ‘anti-dalit’ and asked the party to concentrate on the Yadav candidates, “whose condition is very bad”.

On Tuesday, Mayawati removed her nephew Anand from his responsibilities as the BSP’s national coordinator and her successor, stressing that she has taken this decision in the interest of the party and the movement till the time Anand gains “full maturity”.

What Mayawati Said?

In a series of posts on X, Mayawati called the SP “extremely anti-Dalit” and said it would be better if the party did not comment or worry about what was happening in the BSP.

“Instead, the SP leadership should only worry about the condition of their own family and the candidates of the Yadav community who have been fielded in the elections because the condition of all of them is very bad,” she said.

Continuing her attack, she said, “The behaviour, character and the face of SP, as always, is that of a party which is strongly opposed to the rights of Dalits, backward castes and the reservation given to them in the Constitution. Ending reservation in promotions and tearing the bill in Parliament in this regard are such acts of theirs which are difficult to be forgiven.”

She also said changing the names of the districts, parks, and universities among other places in Uttar Pradesh named after the great saints, gurus and great men born in the “Bahujan samaj” by the BSP government due to the casteist thinking are such acts of the SP government which are recorded as black deeds in history.

SP’s Attack

Soon after Anand’s removal from party posts, SP described the BSP chief’s announcement as an indication that her party is not winning a single seat as its traditional voters are also voting for the INDI Alliance to save the Constitution and reservation.

In a post on X, SP president Akhilesh Yadav remarked that the real reason behind Mayawati’s “big decisions” is that the “BSP is not seen winning even a single seat because most of the traditional supporters of the BSP are also voting for the INDI Alliance this time to save the Constitution and reservation”.

He further said the BSP is taking this as a failure of its organisation. That is why its top leadership is making such a big change in the organisation but now the game has gone out of the party’s hands, he added.

“The truth is that when BSP has not won even a single seat in the last three phases, despite being in its area of influence, then there is no possibility left in the remaining four phases. In such a situation, we appeal to all the voters that you should not waste your vote and vote for those candidates of INDI Alliance who are fighting to save the Constitution of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and save reservation along with the Constitution,” he said.

“That is why it is requested that if you want to save the Constitution, reservation and your self-respect, then cast your vote to SP or cast your vote wherever INDI Alliance candidate is contesting and defeat anti-constitution and anti-reservation BJP,” he said.

Mayawati Axes Political Heir Akash Anand

Making a surprise announcement on X, Mayawati said, “Along with promoting other people in the party, I had declared Shri Akash Anand as the national coordinator and a successor, but in the larger interest of the party and the movement, he is being divested of both these important responsibilities until he attains full maturity.”

“The BSP leadership is not going to shy away from making every kind of sacrifice in the interest of the party and the movement and in taking forward the caravan of Baba Saheb Dr Ambedkar,” she had added.

On April 28, Anand was booked in a case of violation of the Model Code of Conduct along with four others for allegedly using objectionable language at a poll rally in Sitapur.

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