Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Sunday released a list of its candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections where it named candidates for Amethi, Azamgarh, and Sant Kabir Nagar seats in Uttar Pradesh. The party has fielded Syed Danish from Sant Kabir Nagar, Ravi Prakash Maurya from Amethi, and Sabiha Ansari from Azamgarh.
"BSP is the only party in UP contesting alone on all 80 seats," said a party spokesperson.
Earlier, the Mayawati-led party fielded former state unit chief Bhim Rajbhar from the Salempur seat. The party also nominated Irfan Ahmed from the Bhadohi Lok Sabha seat, and Nirdosh Kumar Dixit from Hamirpur.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BSP formed an alliance with Samajwadi Party (SP) and contested 10 seats. However, this time SP has joined hands with Congress for the electoral fray while the Mayawati-led party chose to go solo.
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BSP Chief Mayawati Accuses BJP And Congress Of Casteist, Communal, And Capitalist Mindsets
Earlier in the day, BSP chief Mayawati accused the BJP of politicising probe agencies, similar to what the Congress did in the past. She addressed a Lok Sabha poll rally, highlighting the increased poverty and unemployment in the country over the last two years.
Mayawati asserted that free and fair elections, without tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), would pose a challenge for the BJP to win. She criticised the BJP government for its failure to address issues such as poverty, unemployment, and rising prices.
"While the Centre is providing rations to the extremely poor, the real solution lies in creating employment," Mayawati emphasised, as quoted by news agency PTI. She expressed concerns about the persistence of corruption and the country's border security.
Highlighting unfulfilled promises, Mayawati stated that the BJP's assurances of 'achhe din' for the poor, weaker sections, middle class, and labourers have not materialised. She accused the BJP of prioritising profits for capitalists and the wealthy.
Mayawati reminded the gathering that the BSP was established because the Congress neglected the interests of Dalits, tribals, and Other Backward Classes. She accused both the BJP and Congress of having casteist, communal, and capitalist mindsets, PTI reported.
"Both parties are employing tactics to retain power, while minorities are facing persecution," Mayawati remarked, urging people to prevent the BJP and Congress from returning to power.