Mayawati appeals to Dalits to refrain from voting for Congress, BJP – India News

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has urged the Dalit community to refrain from supporting the Congress and the BJP in the upcoming elections, accusing both parties of neglecting the interests of Dalits. In a strong appeal posted on X (formerly Twitter), the BSP leader urged Dalits to vote for her party, which she believes is committed to protecting their rights and promoting their well-being.

Referring to the Congress’s performance during the Haryana Assembly elections, Mayawati blamed the phenomenon of “continuous neglect and contempt” for the Dalit community, stating that the party’s attitude towards the reservation policy remains unfavorable. “If Congress hasn’t settled things yet, what can we expect in the future?” she asked, emphasizing that Dalit voters should not “waste” their votes on either the Congress or the BJP.

She then criticized both parties for historically opposing reservation policies, accusing congressional leaders of opposing affirmative action and suggesting they may ultimately seek to eliminate it.

Mayawati urged Dalits to vote “unanimously” for the BSP – a party that she said has consistently defended their constitutional rights and worked to empower the community.

In a separate statement, she addressed her appeal to Dalits in Jammu and Kashmir, urging them not to be deceived by the “false promises and temptations” of Congress, BJP or any other alliances and instead consider the anti-Dalit history of these parties before casting their votes.

With assembly elections in both Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir approaching, Mayawati’s remarks come at a critical time. Haryana will go to polls on October 5 and the results will be declared on October 8, while the elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being held in three phases with the last phase of polling scheduled for October 1.

(With PTI input)