Mayawati Condemns SP's PDA Day as 'Pure Political Drama' to Woo Voters
In a sharp rebuke, BSP president Mayawati on Thursday denounced Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's announcement to celebrate BSP founder Kanshi Ram's birth anniversary on March 15 as PDA Day, labeling it a "pure political drama, deceit and show-off" aimed at securing votes from deprived sections. She urged Bahujans to remain vigilant against such maneuvers.
Historical Context and Electoral Contrasts
PDA, which stands for 'Pichhde, Dalits and Alpsankhyak' (Backward, Dalits, and Minorities), has been SP's key political strategy. It notably benefited the party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where SP clinched 37 seats in Uttar Pradesh, while BSP failed to secure any. This outcome starkly contrasts with the 2019 elections, when SP and BSP contested in an alliance, with BSP winning 10 seats and SP bagging 5.
Mayawati's Accusations on Social Media
In a message on X, Mayawati asserted, "SP has always been anti-Dalit, anti-OBC and anti-BSP. It has shown disrespect and disdain towards great saints, gurus and eminent personalities born in the Bahujan Samaj. The media, and their PDA, are aware of this." The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister emphasized that it is difficult to forget how these communities were exploited and oppressed by SP over a long period.
Recalling Past Incidents and Policy Changes
Mayawati recounted the 1995 guest house incident in Lucknow, where she was attacked by SP supporters after withdrawing support from the SP-BSP government. She also highlighted SP's actions regarding Kanshi Ram's legacy, stating, "In the case of Kanshi Ram Ji, who brought Samajwadi Party to power, the SP govt changed the name of a new district named after him." She noted that the BSP government established Kanshi Ram Nagar as a district headquarters, but the subsequent SP government renamed it Kasganj in 2012.
Questioning SP's Commitment
Mayawati further challenged SP, asking, "SP should also answer Bahujans as to why the SP govt did not declare even a single day of state mourning when Kanshi Ram Ji died in Oct 2006." This underscores her allegations of SP's insincerity towards Dalit and backward communities, framing the PDA Day announcement as a superficial gesture rather than genuine respect.
