Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Thursday made it clear that her party will contest the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections independently, rejecting any alliances with other political parties. Speaking at the death anniversary of BSP ideologue Kanshi Ram in Lucknow, Mayawati explained that alliances in the past had not benefitted the party.

“Our votes get transferred, but the other party does not transfer votes to us, which reduces our vote share. Even when alliances form the government, they do not last long,” she said.

Reflecting on previous election experiences, the BSP leader noted that alliances with the Congress and Samajwadi Party yielded only 67 seats, while contesting independently allowed the BSP to form a majority government in 2007.

Addressing swirling rumours about Azam Khan and other leaders joining the BSP, Mayawati firmly clarified:

“I have not met anyone. I do not meet anyone in secret.”

In a surprising acknowledgment of the current government, Mayawati praised the Yogi Adityanath administration for ensuring that funds collected at memorial sites are used for Dalit welfare, unlike during previous Samajwadi Party tenures.

“We are thankful to the current government because, unlike the Samajwadi Party administration, the funds collected from visitors to this site have not been withheld by the present BJP government,” she said.

She also reminded the public that during the BSP’s tenure, revenue from tickets at memorials and parks in Lucknow was intended solely for the maintenance of these sites, and should not be diverted for other purposes.