Will Imran Masood's BSP pitch deepen SP-Congress rift, help Mayawati?
Political observers believe Masood's statement could both deepen mistrust between the SP and Congress and provide BSP a rare opening into the Opposition equation. However, it cannot be denied that Mayawati is still unlikely to make any alliance without extracting a high political price.advertisementOver the past few months, it is being speculated that the SP has been bitter over seat-sharing issues in state elections and uneasy about the Congress's aggressive stance against industrialists such as Gautam Adani, and this has raised questions about their unity. Many believe that at the core of the SP's grievances is the Congress's alleged indifference to the party's role outside Uttar Pradesh. While the Congress secured key positions in alliances across states like Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Maharashtra, the SP claims it was sidelined in seat-sharing discussions.A different blow of sorts came last December when the SP lost a front-row seat in the Lok Sabha because of alleged influence of the Congress. Talking to INDIA TODAY back then, an SP leader, requesting anonymity, had said they did have differences with the Congress as it appeared to be acting with arrogance.While both parties downplay the tensions, the SP's growing proximity to Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee and the public airing of grievances hint at deeper fractures. The ability of the SP-Congress alliance to stay intact till the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls will be pivotal to any Opposition strategy against the ruling BJP in the state.During the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, the Congress had unsuccessfully attempted to bring the BSP into the INDIA fold. The BSP, having fought several elections on its own in recent years, has made its aversion to alliances clear. BSP sources indicate the party will keep its distance from the upcoming panchayat elections to focus on organisational rebuilding for the state polls in 2027. Mayawati herself has said that alliances bring more harm than benefit to her party, and her criticism of the Congress remains sharp as ever.advertisementThe BSP has intensified its organisational activity. The party is inducting leaders from other parties through cadre camps across districts and deploying all three national coordinators to expand its base in other states. After the Bihar assembly elections, the party plans to launch a large-scale membership campaign in UP as well.At the same time, the return of Akash Anand as BSP national coordinator is expected to strengthen the party and help attract Dalit youth. Anand's return also serves to address factionalism in the BSP while reinforcing Mayawati's authority.Amidst the visible strain, there is also a section within political circles that believes the SP-Congress coalition is not breaking anytime soon. According to them, statements like Masood's may be more about exerting pressure on the SP—a strategic move by some within the Congress to negotiate a better share in the alliance in future elections.advertisementSubscribe to India Today MagazineMust Watch
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Rahul's yatra launch becomes INDIA bloc's show of strength in Bihar
1 2 Sasaram: INDIA bloc leaders on Sunday joined Rahul Gandhi at the launch of the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' here against the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and "vote theft" in Bihar, with the occasion also becoming a show of strength for the "mahagathbandhan" in the state that is set to go to polls later this year. RJD, CPM, CPI(M-L) Liberation, CPI and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) leaders along with those from Congress came together setting off the 16-day yatra from the BIADA ground in Sasaram. The horizon of the ground, brimming with a large crowd of euphoric supporters and party workers, was dotted by RJD and Congress flags. Amid loud sloganeering against "vote chori" and in the presence of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and leader of opposition in the Bihar assembly Tejashwi Yadav, Rahul asked the crowd "apka mood kaisa hai" and after the audience settled to listen, he launched a scathing attack on BJP and RSS, accusing them of trying to "wipe-out" the Constitution by stealing elections. He said the campaign against vote theft and SIR was "a fight to save the Constitution". CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, CPI(M)'s Subashini Ali and CPI's P Sandosh Kumar and VIP's Mukesh Sahani spoke vociferously against SIR and its impact on marignalised voters. Referring to SIR, Rahul alleged it was the latest conspiracy to "steal" the Bihar elections by deleting and adding voters but people and INDIA bloc will not let the Modi govt do that. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo He said the country now knows what EC is doing and Congress showed how it is carrying out this "theft", as he highlighted alleged irregularities the Maharashtra polls and referred to Congress's study of the Mahadevapura assembly segment in Karnataka's Bengaluru Central LS constituency. Lalu Prasad stole the show with his earthy humour and trademark style during the launch of the yatra. The 77-year-old, despite frail health, launched blistering attacks on his rivals, leaving the audience in fits of laughter. "Lagal, lagal jhulaniya ke dhakka, balam Kalkata chala (We will push the opponent so hard that they will go far away)," he said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd. The line, a regular feature of his campaign speeches, once again brought his supporters to life. Accusing the BJP of being involved in "vote thefts," Lalu urged the masses not to let BJP to power. "Throw out the vote thieves from power and help us win elections in the state," he said, calling upon people to remain united. He added that uprooting the NDA govt was essential to "strengthen democracy." Tejashwi issued a warning to PM Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah, saying, "We will not let anyone snatch democracy from Bihar — referred to as land that is seen to be the mother of democracy". He described SIR as not "vote chori" but "vote dacoity". Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Lalu's wit & sharp barbs dominate Sasaram rally
1 2 Patna: RJD president Lalu Prasad stole the show with his earthy humour and trademark style during the launch of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi 's fortnight-long "Voter Adhikar Yatra" in Sasaram on Sunday. The 77-year-old, despite frail health, launched blistering attacks on his rivals, leaving the audience in fits of laughter. "Lagal, lagal jhulaniya ke dhakka, balam Kalkata chala (We will push the opponent so hard that they will go far away)," he said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd. The line, a regular feature of his campaign speeches, once again brought his supporters to life. Accusing the BJP of being involved in "vote thefts," Lalu urged the masses not to let the saffron party return to power. "Throw out the vote thieves from power and help us win elections in the state," he said, calling upon people to remain united. He added that uprooting the NDA government was essential to "strengthen democracy." Lalu, who has been battling serious health complications and was advised by doctors to avoid crowds, surprised many by sharing the dais with INDIA bloc leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and CPI-ML general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dwarka's New Hotspot: Excellent Investment Opportunity Omaxe state Learn More Undo Though he addressed the gathering while seated, he was the last speaker of the function. "The doctors advised him against mixing with the crowd, but he decided to reach here to save your voting rights," said his son, leader of the opposition in Bihar assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, as he defended his father's decision to appear. Earlier in the day, before leaving for Sasaram, Lalu told reporters, "We made many sacrifices in the past to save democracy and will continue to protect it in the future too. We will not let democracy get destroyed, nor will we allow the voting rights of people to be erased." In recent days, the RJD chief has become unusually active ahead of the state elections. On Saturday, he visited Agiaon village in Bhojpur district to pay floral tributes on the birth anniversary of a former party MLA's father, in what observers saw as an attempt to reconnect with the masses ahead of the polls. Tejashwi, addressing the Sasaram rally, accused the Election Commission of deleting the names of lakhs of poor people from the electoral rolls during the special intensive revision. "The deletion of your names will not only snatch your voting rights but you will also lose your existence. Once you cease to be a voter, you will lose everything—pension, monthly ration, and all that," he told the gathering. Striking a folksy tone reminiscent of his father, Tejashwi added, "The people of Bihar know very well how to 'add lime to khaini.' Although poor, they are very smart. Bihar mein ham beimani nahin hone denge (We will not allow wrong deeds to take place in Bihar)." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Harish, KTR slam Cong govt for neglecting farmers, scrapping Pharma City
Hyderabad: BRS MLA T Harish Rao on Sunday accused the Congress govt of criminal negligence in handling the state's irrigation systems during the ongoing floods. On the other hand, BRS working president KT Rama Rao has demanded that the govt immediately give clarity to the public, especially farmers, on the proposed 'Future City'. Addressing a media conference in Siddipet, Harish Rao, who also served as irrigation minister during the previous BRS govt, alleged that the state failed to operate the Kaleshwaram project pumps and store floodwater in reservoirs, accusing the Congress govt of prioritising politics over farmers' welfare. The Congress govt, blinded by political vendetta, has completely neglected floodwater management, letting Krishna and Godavari river water flow into the sea while major reservoirs lie empty, he added. He questioned why the govt was not making use of the floodwater even though Sripada Yellampalli was receiving 62,000 cusecs and Kadem project over 1.5 lakh cusecs of water due to heavy rain. This water could easily be diverted to fill reservoirs like Mid Manair, Annapurna, Ranganayakasagar, Mallannasagar, Kondapochamma and Baswapur, which were either dry or severely under-filled. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad | Gold Rates Today in Hyderabad | Silver Rates Today in Hyderabad Harish Rao demanded that all seven motors at Yellampalli project be run continuously to bring at least two thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water per day into Mid Manair. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo "The Congress govt is deliberately keeping the motors off to protect its false narrative that the Kaleshwaram project has failed. You say the project collapsed, but is that the reason you are letting water go to waste, just to prove your lie as truth?" he asked. Meanwhile, BRS working president KT Rama Rao has said the so-called 'Future City', repeatedly mentioned by CM Revanth Reddy, has no future and criticised the Cong govt for scrapping the Pharma City project, initiated by the previous KCR govt, and replacing it with an imaginary 'Future City'. KTR alleged that even though the previous govt had started developing infrastructure with crores of rupees of public money for the Pharma City project, Revanth Reddy's govt has sidelined it and was now trying to illegally divert the land for real estate under the name of 'Future City'. He warned that the govt's actions were against public interest and would cause harm to the people, especially the farmers. KTR demanded that the govt immediately respond and provide clarity to the public and farmers. He also made it clear that if the govt fails to do so, BRS would fight on behalf of the farmers. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
