Putting an end to the rumours of BSP joining the I.N.D.I.A bloc, RLD’s Jayant Choudhary stated, “Why should we talk about Mayawati when she doesn’t want to be a part of the I.N.D.I.A bloc?” This marks the first official announcement that the BSP will not be part of the alliance, and there are no ongoing talks to convince Mayawati otherwise. Choudhary, while addressing media clarified that there were no discussions about persuading the BSP to join the alliance during the INDIA bloc meeting.
As per sources, In the India Alliance meeting, tensions also surfaced between the SP and Congress on this matter. It is reported that SP President Akhilesh Yadav questioned whether Congress was in talks to include the BSP in the India Alliance. Congress must clarify its position, as the SP may reconsider its participation in the alliance. Subsequently, Congress informed Akhilesh that there is no intention of forming an alliance with the BSP in Uttar Pradesh, and the party will contest the Lok Sabha elections in UP under the leadership of Akhilesh Yadav.
An expert familiar with the BSP’s workings suggested that talks between Congress and the BSP may or may not have occurred, but the BSP typically plans its strategies almost a year before elections. If BSP had considered joining the alliance, it would have been decided earlier. Changing its strategy just four months before the elections seems unlikely for the BSP.
While BSP has not officially declared its affiliation with either the NDA or the India Alliance or its decision to contest alone, BSP Chief Mayawati responded to SP’s comments in the India Alliance meeting during a press conference. She stated that the remarks about BSP in the alliance meeting are inappropriate, emphasizing the unpredictability of future support needs. Mayawati argued that criticizing parties not included in the alliance, including the BSP, is unjustified, as one cannot foresee when their support might become necessary—a point illustrated by the SP’s own experience.