Mayawati’s decision to not contest the Lok Sabha election is rife with political implications | The Indian Express

Mayawati’s decision to not contest the Lok Sabha election is rife with political implications | The Indian Express

Written by Badri Narayan |Updated: March 28, 2019 10:08:31 am

The writer is professor, Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute, Allahabad

Mayawati’s decision to not contest the Lok Sabha election is rife with political implications

Mayawati's sacrifice has elevated her stature above other leaders of the gathbandhan. Her decision is a signal of sorts to the partners that should the situation arise, they should support her candidature for the PM’s post.

Mayawati would want to devote as much time as possible to campaign for the gathbandhan’s candidates. (File photo)

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader, Mayawati, recently decided to not contest the Lok Sabha elections. This decision surprised almost everyone. Political analysts had been speculating that Mayawati could emerge as one of the main claimants for the prime minister’s post if the Opposition parties were in the running to form a government. Her supporters, especially those from the Dalit-Bahujan communities, also want to see the BSP chief as the PM.