‘Threatened’ Mayawati hits out at Bhim Army Chief

NEW DELHI: BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday issued a statement, slamming Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad and claiming he was playing into the hands of other parties to damage the BSP.

The fight between the two leaders has intensified since Azad declared his decision to launch a new political party on December 12. BSP, a dominant player in the Dalit politics of UP, feels this could be a real threat to its core vote bank. Mayawati’s statement comes also at a time when Azad has been in the limelight for his protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

“There is a common perception that Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar does a conspiracy along with other opposition parties to damage BSP in states where BSP is stronger,” said Mayawati. “Despite being from UP, he protests at Jama Masjid in Delhi just before assembly elections and then his team members collect funds from poor Dalits to release him from the jail.” She alleged that he was defaming not only the name Bhim, but also the Dalit community by his acts.


On December 12, Azad said he would launch a new political party after BSP MPs walked out of the Rajya Sabha during voting on the citizenship bill. “When Constitution was getting murdered, two Rajya Sabha BSP MPs walked out to help BJP,” he had said.

“Before this, by voting on EWS reservation and Article 370, BSP weakened the Bahujan movement. I announce to give a new political alternative to Bahujan community,” he had said.

After the LS polls, BSP had snapped its alliance with SP and has been trying to regain its strength in UP by bringing together the Dalits and Muslims.