Mayawati Condemns Congress and SP Over Bharat Ratna Demand for Kanshi Ram
In a sharp critique on Tuesday, BSP president Mayawati labeled the Congress party's demand for Bharat Ratna for Kanshi Ram as "ridiculous", asserting that the Congress could have honored the BSP founder during its own tenure at the Centre. Speaking in Lucknow, she accused both the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) of being anti-Dalit parties that have consistently sought to undermine the Bahujan Samaj Party.
Political Opportunism Ahead of UP Elections
Mayawati emphasized that the recent tributes to Kanshi Ram by these parties are part of a well-thought-out strategy to secure votes from bahujans as assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh approach. "They celebrated Kanshi Ram's birth anniversary under a well-thought-out strategy, which was to get the votes of 'bahujans'. This is all because assembly elections in UP are drawing near," she stated.
She further criticized the Congress and SP, suggesting they lack their own icons and are now "cashing" in on the names of "our icons". "They always ignored Kanshi Ramji when he was alive," Mayawati added, highlighting what she called their "dual conduct" towards the BSP founder.
Background of the Controversy
The controversy stems from recent actions by opposition leaders:
- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 15, demanding Bharat Ratna for Kanshi Ram on his 93rd birth anniversary.
- Rahul Gandhi also addressed a 'Samvidhan Sammelan' in Lucknow on March 13 to mark the occasion.
- Earlier, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav announced on February 25 the celebration of PDA Diwas in every district of UP on Kanshi Ram's birth anniversary.
Mayawati has been vocal in her criticism since these events, describing them as "opportunistic fashion" by the parties, especially with UP elections just a year away.
BSP's Legacy and Accusations
Reiterating the BSP's strong foundation, Mayawati noted that "BSP's foundation was laid by Kanshi Ram in 1984. No force could shake it as long as she remained its national president and his sole political heir." She also accused the SP government of undoing most of the works done by the BSP government in Kanshi Ram's honor.
In a pointed message, Mayawati advised the Congress, SP, and their Dalit supporters to remain silent, referencing Kanshi Ram's book "Chamcha Yug" as a reason to distance from such "sycophants". "My advice to Congress, SP and their sycophants from the Dalit communities is that it will be better for them to be silent. It was to maintain distance from such people that Kanshi Ramji wrote a book in English called Chamcha Yug," she concluded.
