After SP-BSP severe ties, Akhilesh says party will go solo to bypolls in 11 seats

After hinting to partymen that she is breaking away from the SP and the BSP will contest upcoming Assembly bypolls on its own, BSP chief Mayawati told media on Tuesday (June 4) that the SP vote did not transfer to the BSP. “Dates for Assembly bypolls may be announced anytime and we are contesting individually because it will take time for the SP to convince their voters. But, in future, we can join if they are successful.”

Reacting to Mayawati’s statement, SP president Akhilesh Yadav said that his party will prepare for the elections and contest alone from the 11 seats. “If the coalition has broken, I will deeply think on it,” he said.

Mayawati insisted the family-like atmosphere between her and the Yadavs was intact. “There is no doubt that Akhilesh and Dimple Yadav accepted and respected me and I also joined them and accepted them like my family. This relationship was not just political and it will not end. But, we cannot ignore politics”.

“I’m deeply saddened to say the Yadavs have failed in their own territories and this has made us think. There were problems with EVMs too. We are also saddened about this failure.”

“Now we have to work accordingly. There is no permanent break and if they are able to garner their supporters we will work together.”