Rahul Gandhi Labels BSP as BJP's 'B-Team', Invites Mayawati for Coalition
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Synopsis
During his visit to Raebareli, Rahul Gandhi criticized the BSP as a 'B-team' of the BJP. He invited Mayawati to collaborate with the Congress and Samajwadi Party against the ruling party, asserting that this alliance could effectively challenge the BJP.
Key Takeaways
- Rahul Gandhi labels BSP as BJP's 'B-team'.
- Invited Mayawati to join Congress and SP.
- Engaged with Dalit youth during his visit.
- Criticized the recent Budget for lack of originality.
- Expressed concerns over UP’s development issues.
Raebareli, Feb 20 (NationPress) Commencing his two-day visit to Raebareli with a stop at a local temple, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday characterized the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) as a ‘B-team’ of the BJP and extended an invitation to former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati to collaborate with the Congress and Samajwadi Party in their struggle against the ruling party.
While engaging with Dalit youth during his visit to his constituency, Gandhi remarked that there were speculations regarding ‘Bahenji’ (Mayawati) intentionally presenting a weak opposition to the BJP in elections.
“BSP is functioning as a ‘B-team’ of the BJP, but we urge Bahenji to unite with us in our battle against the BJP. The alliance of the three parties – Congress, SP, and BSP – would create a formidable coalition that the BJP could never overcome,” he stated.
Earlier, Gandhi met with party workers and listened to the concerns of the electorate in his Raebareli parliamentary area.
The agenda for his two-day visit includes inaugurating several projects for the community, meeting with party members, women, and youth, engaging with Dalit students, and touring the local railway coach factory, according to a party official.
A social media video depicted Gandhi, while seated in his vehicle, attentively addressing the complaints of a local resident and reviewing his application.
He also graciously posed for selfies with young voters who requested them.
A party official mentioned that Gandhi’s packed itinerary during the constituency visit would additionally feature the unveiling of a statue of Rana Beni Madho, a significant figure in the Indian rebellion of 1857 from the Oudh region.
Gandhi’s visit coincided with the Yogi Adityanath government’s presentation of the Budget in the Assembly.
A party leader reported that Gandhi condemned the Budget, describing it as a mere reproduction of promises made in earlier Budgets.
He asserted that Gandhi, during his dialogue with workers, expressed worries over the lack of developmental efforts in Uttar Pradesh.
The party leader reiterated Gandhi’s critique of the UP government for its alleged shortcomings in providing amenities to pilgrims attending the Mahakumbh.
“Historically, people have engaged in holy dips in the past, and I am certain that tradition will persist,” he conveyed.
The leader emphasized that the Congress has acted as an alliance partner, supporting its allies wherever there is an opportunity for collective action.
In the June 2024 parliamentary elections, Gandhi outperformed his BJP opponent Dinesh Pratap Singh by a margin of 3.90 lakh votes. He had previously held the Wayanad seat in Kerala during the last Lok Sabha elections.
