Mayawati likely to play major role in uniting opposition parties

B S Yeddyurappa’s resignation as Karnataka chief minister before the floor test on Saturday is likely to pave the way for BSP chief Mayawati’s playing a major role in uniting opposition parties at the national level.

Sources said the BSP chief was in touch with all prominent leaders of opposition parties, including UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda, right from the day of counting of votes, on May 15. Although her party, which was in alliance with the JD (S), won only one seat in Karnataka, she reportedly played a role in uniting the JD(S) and the Congress after the results.

She had called up Deve Gowda and suggested that he accept Congress’s offer of support to form a government in Karnataka without wasting time. What transpired between them is not known but the BSP chief was said to have told Deve Gowda that the JD(S) would face a challenge in keeping its new MLAs in line, given the way the political situation was unfolding.


Mayawati was already in touch with Sonia Gandhi through senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.