Mayawati Suspends MLA for Cross-Voting, Calls BJP’s Win “Immoral”

She laid stress on the fact that the Rajya Sabha poll results have not affected the SP-BSP ties “even by an inch.”

File photo of BSP supremo Mayawati. 

(Photo: PTI)

Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party on Saturday, 24 March, suspended party MLA Anil Kumar Singh for cross-voting in favour of the BJP in Rajya Sabha polls. Mayawati, speaking in Lucknow after the poll result, blamed the BJP for creating an “environment of fear” due to which, according to her, “there was also some cross-voting done.”

In her speech, Mayawati also alleged that the BJP indulged in malpractices and attempted to break BSP’s newly formed ties with the Samajwadi Party (SP).

BJP did not deter from indulging in malpractices. They exterted all their force to ensure that the BSP candidate does not win at any cost. The entire system was deployed to ensure that the newly formed ties between BSP and SP loosen.

She further laid stress on the fact that the Rajya Sabha election results have not affected the SP-BSP ties "even by an inch." The BJP won 9 out of 10 seats in the recently conducted UP Rajya Sabha polls.

Responding to Mayawati’s claims, UP Health Minister Sidharth Nath Singh said the BSP supremo’s disappointment and frustration is a result of losing out on the “return gift she expected from Akhilesh Yadav, that is the Rajya Sabha seat.”

When her MLA votes for our Rajya Sabha candidate, then she says money is being used in elections, but when Om Prakash Rajbhar votes for them, then she calls it a vote of conscience. This election was done in a transparent manner.

Sidharth Nath Singh, UP Health Minister

Mayawati called BJP’s victory "immoral" and did not shy from discussing BJP's defeat in Gorakhpur and Phulpur.

This immoral victory cannot make up for their defeat in Gorakhpur and Phulpur. Even BJP is aware of this.

Sending a signal of solidarity to the BSP, whose lone candidate lost in the Rajya Sabha polls, the SP cancelled the victory celebration for its nominee Jaya Bachchan, which was to be held in the state capital on 24 March.

After winning two Lok Sabha by-elections on prestigious Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats with the backing of BSP, SP had made it clear that it will work towards ensuring the victory of BSP’s Rajya Sabha candidate.

The BSP too has given indications that it remains positive about the new-found understanding between the two parties. BSP National General Secretary Satish Misra seemed certain of SP’s support in the polls, while asserting that it was only "misuse" of power by the BJP which led to the defeat of his party’s candidate, reported ANI.

Misra, however, said that any decision on alliance with the SP in future polls will be taken by BSP supremo Mayawati.

(With ANI inputs.)