'Mahagathbandhan' in danger? Mayawati eyes more seats, says BSP will go alone if not offered 'respectable share'

Sep 16 (AZINS) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday seemed to put proposed 'Mahagathbandhan' of opposition parties on notice as she warned that the party would contest 2019 Lok Sabha elections alone in case it is not offered 'respectable share' of seats. 

"We will agree to alliance anywhere and in any election only when we get a respectable share of seats, otherwise BSP will contest alone," Mayawati told reporters in Lucknow.

Accusing the BJP of resorting to different diversionary tactics as 2019 Lok Sabha elections are approaching, Mayawati said the saffron party is making lucrative announcements and not leaving any stone unturned to derive advantage from the demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

BJP Governments in states and in the Centre are trying to hide their failures by diversionary tactics. They have not fulfilled their election promises. They are trying to use Atal ji's death for political gains," she said. "...They never followed his (Vajpayee's) footsteps, when he was alive."

The BSP supremo's statement assumes significance as Sunday marks the completion of one month of death of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "People of the country know that the campaign undertaken by the BJP and the RSS in the name of Vajpayee is an attempt to hide its failures. The BJP will not get any benefit from this. The people of the country now understand that none of the election promises made in 2014 Lok Sabha elections was fulfilled," the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said.

Mayawati was speaking to reporters here after she moved into her new residence vacating her sprawling bungalow on Supreme Court orders.

In a virtual snub to Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar Azad, Mayawati denied any association with him, days after he had claimed that he and his "bua" (aunt) Mayawati have the "same blood".

The Bhim Army was set up around three years ago in Saharanpur and has gained considerable popularity among members of the Scheduled Castes.

The group champions empowerment of Dalits, especially those apparently disenchanted with former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati.

Azad (31) walked free from Saharanpur district jail in the wee hours of Friday after the UP government decided to release him before the completion of his detention period.

"Some people in order to realise their vested political interests, some in their defence, while some in order to look young are trying to forge different relationships such as brother-sister and bua-bhatija (aunt and nephew) with me," Mayawati said.

"I have no relation with such people. I am only related to the common man, Dalits, adivasis and people from backward castes," she said.

Her comments came against the backdrop of the Bhim Army founder, who is also known as "Ravan", reportedly claiming that, "We (he and Mayawati) both have the same blood. She may have some issues with me, I have none with her. It is not in my values to speak ill of my 'bua' (aunt). Our only aim is to defeat the BJP."

Referring to attempts made by Azad to forge the relationship of 'bua' with her, Mayawati said she cannot have any respectable relationship with such people.

"For the past few days, a man who was recently released from jail is trying to call me 'bua'. If these people were really interested in the welfare of Dalits, then instead of resurrecting their organisation, they would have joined the BSP," she said.

Sources say Azad's release could be BJP's strategy to lessen the influence of the BSP in western Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.