Mayawati Condemns Congress and SP for Exploiting Kanshi Ram's Legacy for Political Gain
Synopsis
Mayawati criticizes Congress and SP for opportunistically leveraging Kanshi Ram's legacy as Uttar Pradesh elections approach. She describes their actions as politically motivated and highlights their past neglect of him.
Key Takeaways
Mayawati accuses Congress and SP of exploiting Kanshi Ram's legacy.
Claims their demands for recognition are politically motivated.
Highlights past neglect of Kanshi Ram by these parties.
Emphasizes her commitment to protecting the BSP's core values.
Calls attention to the decline of opposition leaders' relevance.
Lucknow, March 17 (NationPress) Mayawati, the National President of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), criticized the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress on Tuesday for allegedly exploiting the legacy of Kanshi Ram for their electoral ambitions ahead of next year’s elections in Uttar Pradesh.
She claimed that those parties, which once overlooked Kanshi Ram during their reign, are now, motivated by vote-bank politics, calling for his birth anniversary to be observed and for him to receive the ‘Bharat Ratna’ award.
Mayawati labeled this initiative as “opportunistic” and “politically driven”.
In a post shared on the social media platform X, she asserted that the SP, Congress, and other factions are trying to claim the legacy of the BSP founder to advance their electoral agendas.
Furthermore, she criticized the Congress for not awarding the highest civilian honor to Kanshi Ram during its tenure at the Centre but now seeking the recognition from a different administration.
The BSP leader accused these parties of continuously attempting to undermine the BSP, which was established by Kanshi Ram, insisting that such efforts would ultimately fail.
As his political successor, she vowed to protect the party’s fundamental principles and organizational integrity.
Mayawati pointed out that the opposition's renewed interest in Kanshi Ram signifies their leaders' diminishing relevance, leading them to invoke the legacy of BSP icons.
She also claimed that numerous initiatives established during BSP leadership in honor of Kanshi Ram were later diluted or reversed by subsequent SP-led governments.
Referring to Kanshi Ram’s book ‘Chamcha Yug’ (The Age of the Sycophants), she condemned what she termed as “sycophantic politics” prevalent in rival parties.
The political discourse on this topic intensified after SP chief Akhilesh Yadav called for Kanshi Ram to be honored with the Bharat Ratna, recognizing him as a transformative leader advocating for social justice.
Previously, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also made a similar request, describing Kanshi Ram as a guiding force for Bahujan consciousness and urging the government to acknowledge his contributions with the nation’s highest civilian accolade.
Point of View
It's crucial to note that Mayawati's accusations against the Congress and SP reflect the ongoing political maneuvering as elections approach. While her concerns about the appropriation of Kanshi Ram's legacy hold validity, the broader dialogue also underscores the complexities of political alliances and legacy in Indian politics.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Mayawati's main accusations against Congress and SP?
Mayawati accuses Congress and SP of exploiting Kanshi Ram's legacy for political gains in the upcoming elections while neglecting him during their time in power.
What is the significance of Kanshi Ram in Indian politics?
Kanshi Ram was the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party, known for advocating for social justice and the rights of marginalized communities in India.
What did Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi say about Kanshi Ram?
Akhilesh Yadav called for Kanshi Ram to receive the Bharat Ratna, recognizing him as a leader for social justice, while Rahul Gandhi described him as a guiding force for Bahujan consciousness.
How has Mayawati responded to the calls for celebrating Kanshi Ram?
Mayawati has condemned the calls as opportunistic, emphasizing that those who once ignored Kanshi Ram are now seeking to capitalize on his legacy for electoral gain.
What is the central theme of Mayawati's social media post?
The central theme of Mayawati's post is a critique of the Congress and SP for their insincerity in honoring Kanshi Ram, suggesting their motivations are politically driven.
