Mayawati rules out alliance with Congress in any state for Lok Sabha polls

The Bahujan Samaj Party declared on Tuesday that it would not ally with the Congress anywhere in the country for the Lok Sabha election beginning on April 11, a blow to hopes of a broad opposition front against the ruling BJP.

What Mayawati said

In a statement, BSP president Mayawati said it was being made clear once again that her party would have no tie-up with the Congress anywhere. Referring to the BSP’s pre-poll pact with the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, she said the arrangement rested on mutual respect and honest intentions, and argued that the SP-BSP combination was strong enough on its own to defeat the BJP, especially in Uttar Pradesh.

She added that many parties in different parts of the country wanted to join hands with the BSP, but said the party could not compromise on its principles or do anything that would damage its movement.

Instructions to party workers

Mayawati asked BSP office-bearers to coordinate with SP leaders in their respective constituencies and make sure there were no differences between the two sides. She told them to organise joint rallies in their areas and cautioned them to watch out for the schemes of rival parties.

Background

There had been speculation that the Congress was in talks with the SP and might be brought into the alliance in Uttar Pradesh. Mayawati’s statement effectively closed that door.

What happened next

Polling for the 2019 general election ran from 11 April to 19 May. When votes were counted on 23 May 2019, the BJP won 303 of 543 seats and the Congress 52.

Originally published on 12 March 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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