Congress leader Udit Raj has sparked a political firestorm with his controversial remarks about Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati. Speaking at an event in Lucknow on Monday, Raj accused Mayawati of “strangling” the social movement, adding that the time had come for her to face the same fate. His statement, “Mayawati ne jo samajik andolan ka gala ghota hai, unka gala ghotne ka samay aa gaya hai” (The time has come to strangle Mayawati as she had strangled the social movement), quickly went viral, drawing sharp reactions from political circles.
In his speech, Raj also highlighted the crucial role of Kanshiram in the Bahujan movement in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in the 1980s, which gained significant momentum in the 2000s. He claimed that while other political parties focused on power, the Bahujan Samaj Party had roots in social justice. Raj’s words, however, have set off a storm of controversy, as they directly challenge Mayawati’s leadership and legacy.
कृष्ण ने कहा था कि न्याय के लिए लड़ो , जरूरत पड़े तो अपने सगे संबंधियों को भी मार दो ।
— Dr. Udit Raj (@Dr_Uditraj) February 17, 2025
बसपा की चीफ सुश्री मायावती जी ने जो सामाजिक आंदोलन का गला घोंटा है,
अब उनका गला घोंटने का वक्त आ गया है ।@ANI@PTI_News @ians_india pic.twitter.com/zWfQNsShre
The Congress leader clarified that his remarks were his personal opinion and should not be linked to the Congress party. Raj also accused BSP of being a “B team” of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing Mayawati of misleading the people for four decades. He said that the BSP had falsely painted Congress as anti-Dalit and used Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy as a shield for its own political gains.
Raj wrote in a statement, “Mayawati ji misled people for four decades, spreading lies and false propaganda. She slashed the throat of Congress while enjoying the power. The hard work and sacrifice of crores of Bahujan workers were swindled.”
Despite the backlash, Raj has vowed to continue fighting for the Bahujan movement. “We are committed to saving the Bahujan movement at any cost. I will never compromise on my principles,” he declared.
In response, BSP chief Mayawati strongly condemned the remarks and took to Twitter, slamming the Congress party for Raj’s controversial statements. “The Congress party, especially, which has disdained at every level the humanitarian struggle of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar for self-respect and self-esteem of millions of exploited and oppressed Dalits/Bahujans, even during his lifetime and after his death, can never be true and trustworthy to his thinking and policies,” Mayawati tweeted.