Akhilesh Yadav also explained why his Samajwadi Party allied with Mayawati (File)
Once fierce rivals, Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati today announced an alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the national elections that are expected to take place in about three months. The two parties, which were wiped out in the 2014 general election, said they will contest on 38 seats each of the state's 80 Lok Sabha seats, keeping their personal differences aside to end "the monstrous rule" of the BJP.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, on his part, also hinted at supporting the Bahujan Samaj Party leader as the prime ministerial candidate.
"Uttar Pradesh has produced numerous prime ministers in the past. You know whom I will support. I will be happy if another prime minister comes from the state," Mr Yadav said, when asked whether he will support Mayawati for PM.
Mayawati, however, deflected questions on whether she would contest the Lok Sabha polls or not. "In due time, you will be informed of this also," she said, smiling.
Last month, when DMK chief MK Stalin had proposed Congress president Rahul Gandhi's name as the opposition's prime ministerial candidate, it was shot down by the entire opposition bloc, including Akhilesh Yadav's party. The parties said such decisions should be taken by the opposition parties only after the polls.
Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati addressed a press conference today.
Today, in their press conference, Mayawati stated that the Congress would not be a part of their alliance in Uttar Pradesh, but they will not contest on the two stronghold seats of the Rahul Gandhi-led party, Amethi and Raebareli.
Attacking the BJP government both at the centre and Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav explained why his Samajwadi Party allied with Mayawati. "To defeat the arrogance of BJP, it was necessary for BSP and SP to come together. Our alliance is to fight against the communal hatred spread by the BJP. It can go to any extent to create differences in our workers, we must be united and counter any such tactic."
"The alliance was in my mind since the day BJP leaders made obscene comments on Mayawati. Instead of punishing them, BJP gave big ministries to these leaders. From today onwards, all the SP workers should know that disrespect of Mayawati, will be my disrespect," he added.
Mayawati, the four-time Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, said they would give anxious and sleepless moments to the "guru-chela" duo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah.
With inputs from agencies