Lucknow:
Mayawati, who was rejected whole-heartedly by Uttar Pradesh in the elections, has resigned. She met with the UP Governor this morning and made it official. In the results that were counted yesterday, her Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was reduced to 80 seats, down by more than 100 from what it had won in the last state elections. The UP assembly has 403 seats. The Samjawadi Party (SP), headed by Mayawati's old political enemy, Mulayam Singh Yadav, swept into power, winning 224.
Allegations of corruption, a disconnect from the people, and arrogance dogged Mayawati's campaign for re-election and a fifth term as Chief Minister. Her interaction with the media today will be watched closely for any hint of her plans - whether she emphasizes that she will try to rebuild her support in UP, or focus more on a larger role in Delhi.
In UP, state governments are known for using their power to target political opponents, often by filing police cases against members of other parties. Combatting political vendetta may pre-occupy the former Chief Minister. But in Delhi, where she has 22 MPs in the Lok Sabha, Mayawati may become a favourite of the Congress. Its own miserable performance in UP and the four other states that just voted has left the Congress authority within the UPA collation at the Centre greatly diminished. Mamata Banerjee, the single biggest member of the alliance after the Congress, has been taking on the party repeatedly over crucial legislation and policy - she forced the Prime Minister to suspend his planned reforms in retail, for example. In addition to Ms Banerjee's wavering attention and loyalty, the Congress now has to deal with a rejuvenated Samajwadi Party. Mr Yadav has in the past rescued the Congress by voting with the government on important matters. His supersize victory in Uttar Pradesh will give him more bargaining power than ever before.