Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh) [India]: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday suggested that if Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati had joined forces with the Congress in the recent parliamentary elections, they could have secured victory.
Speaking to students at the Mool Bharti hostel in his constituency of Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, Gandhi questioned Mayawati’s election strategy.
“Why doesn’t Mayawati fight elections properly?” he asked. Referring to the BSP supremo, he added, “We wanted Behenji to fight elections along with us against the BJP. However, for some reason, Mayawati Ji isn’t contesting, which disappoints us greatly. Because if all three parties come together, the BJP would never win.”
Gandhi reiterated that the doors of the INDIA Alliance remain open for Mayawati.
Mayawati Hits Back at Congress
Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks, Mayawati accused Congress of double standards.
In a post in Hindi on X (formerly Twitter), the BSP chief wrote:
“In the states where Congress is strong or where it has governments, there is animosity and casteist attitude towards BSP and its followers. But in a state like UP, where Congress is weak, there is deceptive talk of alliance with BSP. If this is not the double standard of that party, then what is it?”
Mayawati further stated that whenever BSP has contested elections in Uttar Pradesh and other states in alliance with Congress and similar parties, her party’s base votes were transferred to them, but those parties failed to transfer their base votes to BSP, leading to losses.
Notably, in the 2024 parliamentary elections, Congress and Samajwadi Party contested together as part of the INDIA Alliance, while BSP chose to fight independently.
Rahul Gandhi on the Constitution and Importance of English
During his interaction with students, Rahul Gandhi encouraged them to take an active role in shaping the country’s development.
“The Constitution has given all of you equal rights and opportunities to move forward and shape your future. Recognize your rights,” he urged.
Gandhi also stressed the significance of learning English, claiming that BJP and RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) do not want marginalized communities to learn the language.
“Mohan Bhagwat (RSS chief) says speak in Hindi, yet the children of RSS and BJP leaders study in English-medium schools and even study in England,” he remarked.
He further stated, “BJP and RSS people say English should not be learned. English is a weapon. Once you learn English, you can go anywhere. You can go to Tamil Nadu, Japan, Mumbai—wherever. Meetings in Tata companies are held in English, not Hindi.”
Explaining his stance, he said, “They want you not to learn English. Where English is dominant, they don’t want Dalits, backward people, and the poor to enter. They have a monopoly over it, but English is your biggest weapon.”
He added, “If you have to talk to the president of America or Russia, what language will you use? English.”
Statue Unveiling
As part of his visit, Rahul Gandhi also unveiled the statue of Rana Beni Madhav Singh, an important historical figure.