The kind of ‘transaction’ Mayawati has made with the Samajwadi Party (SP) is like any basic, fundamental activity they need to do in order to retain their political relevance. If this arrangement of ‘hand-to-hand’ transactions for the electoral gains assists the purpose, it will help them regain their lost political position. More importantly, it will be an experience for months or years.
Mayawati’s statement confirms the possible emergence of a united front between SP and the Bahujan Samaaj Party (BSP). She has made it quite clear that her party will not field candidates in the bypolls at Phulpur and Gorakhpur. However, her supporters will most definitely favour the stronger candidate – hence, her support for alliance bid in general to defeat saffron party candidate.
Likewise, Mayawati has also extended support to the Congress in a seat in Madhya Pradesh. In my opinion, these parties are progressing towards a ‘vote-barter system’ for a future alliance in the 2019 general elections. This deal initiated by Mayawati carries echoes of the activities of her political guru, Kanshi Ram. After all, what may be a simple vote-transfer deal may bring forth a bigger alliance in the future.
Even though they haven’t adopted either a borrower’s or a lender’s image, they seem to have garnered some attention from the BJP leaders. While Yogi Adityanath termed the deal as “ber ker ka sang (friendship between a banana and an Indian jujube, which allegedly never go together)”, another said that it was like a “saanp nevle ki dosti”. After all, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh do require BSP’s support for defeating the BJP.
Once they have attained each other’s confidence and trust, it’s hoped that their unity will come along suitably. Whatever it is that they are looking for at this point in time, their options will definitely expand if they unite. The expectations of the people will also increase accordingly.
On the other hand, the BJP will never like to see their political rivals draw close. To that end, a BJP leader tried to assure people that even the combined vote percentage of the SP-BSP combo can do no harm to the BJP.