Mayawati rejigs state unit, asks SP, BSP workers to work together for polls

LUCKNOW: Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati effected major organisational changes in the party ahead of coming Lok Sabha elections and urged party workers to forget all differences with Samajwadi Party and work with them to defeat BJP.

Addressing party workers in Lucknow on Sunday, Mayawati appealed to BSP and alliance partner SP workers to forget their differences and work together to defeat BJP in the state in the coming general elections.

Sources said that the former UP CM has disbanded the existing zone-wise party organisation structure which was divided into nine zones and has set up 18 division-wise teams. “Around 54 people have been appointed to head the divisions. There will be 18 in charges for each booth. They are still being appointed,” said a party leader.

The party has also appointed 18 Lok Sabha prabharis. While they have not officially been declared the party’s candidates for coming elections, within BSP, they are understood to be candidates of their respective constituencies. “BSP is contesting on 38 seats. Most of the prabharis in west UP have been appointed while those for Purvanchal seats are still being decided,” sources said.

Mayawati told party workers to collaborate with SP workers while campaigning in the state. She has also asked the party’s ‘bhaichara’ committees to increase their reach.

The BSP chief also appealed party workers to provide all possible assistance to families of the security personnel killed in the line of duty. In the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack in which 44 CRPF jawans were killed, Mayawati asked party workers to remain in touch with the families on a regular basis, saying that government often leaves them to fend for themselves after a period.

“After the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, the government needs to formulate a strong policy for the country’s defence and security. A similar policy is required for neighbouring countries. It is necessary for the government to be prepared to defend itself and its prestige so that India is not overlooked and no one should dare to threaten it,” she said.

Accusing BJP of politicising the Pulwama attack, Mayawati said, “People across the country are desperate to get rid of BJP and in UP, it is only the BSP-SP alliance that can challenge it.” Mayawati also called BJP anti-reservation, saying that it had made the system almost redundant. They changed the reservation policy in universities to make it ineffective, implementing it department-wise rather than across the university, she said.