Mayawati Slams Congress for ‘Casteist Mindset’, Calls Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks Hypocritical

Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of having a “dual character and casteist mindset.” Her remarks came in response to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s statement questioning the BSP’s absence from the anti-BJP front (INDIA bloc) during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Reacting to Gandhi’s comments, made during his visit to Raebareli, Mayawati took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “Wherever Congress is strong or in power, it harbors hostility and casteist attitudes towards BSP and its followers. But in states like UP, where it is weak, it tries to mislead people by talking about an alliance with BSP. If this is not hypocrisy, then what is?”

Mayawati further alleged that past alliances with Congress had only harmed BSP, stating, “Whenever BSP allied with Congress or other casteist parties, our core vote got transferred to them, but they never reciprocated. As a result, BSP always suffered losses.”

She also took a swipe at both the Congress and BJP, accusing them of consistently opposing Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the BSP, its leadership, Dalit-Bahujan followers, and the reservation system. “Their policies have hindered the nation’s constitutional goal of equality and welfare, which is deeply concerning,” she said.

Rahul Gandhi, while interacting with Dalit students at the Mool Bharti hostel in Raebareli, expressed disappointment over Mayawati’s stance. He remarked, “I wanted Behenji to fight alongside us against the BJP, but for some reason, she did not. That was deeply disappointing. If all three parties had united, the BJP would never have won.”