Lucknow: Mayawati, national president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, chaired a crucial meeting of the party’s state and district-level office bearers in Lucknow, focusing on strengthening the organisation at the grassroots and accelerating preparations for upcoming elections.
The meeting, held at the BSP state office on Mall Avenue, reviewed in detail the implementation of earlier directives issued by Mayawati regarding organisational expansion, financial strengthening, and efforts to broaden the party’s जनाधार across all sections of society. After assessing the progress, she emphasised the need to further improve performance reports and ensure stricter execution of party strategies at every level.
Addressing party leaders and workers, Mayawati said that widespread public dissatisfaction with government apathy towards pressing issues has led people to look at the BSP with renewed hope. She asserted that the party must live up to these expectations through dedication, discipline, and sustained hard work, warning that any negligence in this regard would not be tolerated.
Raising concerns over the economic situation, she noted that issues related to livelihood and employment in Uttar Pradesh have become increasingly serious. “The already complex problem of ‘roti-rozi’ has taken a more alarming shape,” she said, adding that governments continue to rely on slogans and unfulfilled promises instead of delivering tangible relief from poverty, unemployment, and rising hardship.
Mayawati also flagged the impact of global geopolitical tensions on domestic economic stability, referring to the fallout of conflicts involving major international players that have contributed to rising prices of essential commodities, including cooking gas and petroleum products. She said that unchecked inflation has disproportionately affected the poor and working classes, worsening their daily struggles.
Calling for proactive governance, she urged authorities to take effective and continuous measures to prevent the country from facing crises similar to those witnessed during demonetisation and the COVID-19 pandemic. She stressed that economic distress among vulnerable sections must be addressed with urgency and sincerity.
On the issue of self-reliance, Mayawati remarked that “Atmanirbharata” should not remain a mere slogan but must be translated into reality through honest and committed efforts. She questioned whether excessive dependence on the private sector alone could truly make the country self-reliant, calling for a broader and more inclusive economic strategy.
She further stated that the country has not been able to achieve pro-poor, employment-oriented, and inclusive development, arguing that growth limited to a select few cannot ensure wider public welfare. “A model of development that benefits only a handful cannot serve the interests of the nation or the state,” she said, underlining the urgent need for Bahujan-centric policies.
On electoral strategy, Mayawati issued clear instructions that criminal elements should not be given any place within the party, distinguishing BSP from other political outfits. She also directed that candidate selection must ensure fair and adequate representation for all communities, in line with the party’s core principle of “Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay.”
The BSP chief also announced preparations for the upcoming birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar on April 14. She instructed party workers from all 18 mandals of Uttar Pradesh to gather in large numbers at the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal in Lucknow to pay tribute. Due to maintenance work at the Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal, she noted that people from western Uttar Pradesh would also visit Lucknow this year for the occasion.
In addition, similar commemorative events will be organised across other states at the zonal level, with senior party leaders participating.
Mayawati also criticised what she described as attempts by central and state governments to weaken the constitutional provisions of reservation meant for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. She asserted that without a government committed to Bahujan interests, proper implementation of these rights would remain difficult.
She further raised concerns about the lack of sub-quotas for women from weaker sections within the broader framework of women’s reservation, questioning whether equitable development can be achieved without targeted representation.
Concluding the meeting, Mayawati reiterated that the BSP remains committed to the vision of social transformation and economic justice, and called upon party workers to intensify efforts to strengthen the organisation and connect with the public at every level.
