Will October 9 Rally Mark Mayawati’s Comeback In UP Politics? BSP Hopes So

Last Updated:September 08, 2025, 13:30 IST

Political observers said the party's shrinking presence has left much of its core Dalit vote bank vulnerable to poaching and the rally is seen as an attempt to reclaim that space

Since the 2012 assembly debacle, Mayawati has largely confined her political activities to the precincts of her Mall Avenue bungalow. (PTI)

Is Mayawati preparing for a political comeback in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 assembly elections?

Once a dominant force in state politics, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has been reduced to the margins over the last decade. But party chief Mayawati now seems to be gearing up for a revival push, with a mega rally planned in Lucknow on October 9 to mark the death anniversary of BSP founder Kanshi Ram.

The rally, to be held at the Manyavar Kanshi Ram Ji Smarak Sthal, is being projected by the party as the launchpad for its 2027 election campaign. Mayawati, who has kept a low profile since the BSP’s defeat in the 2012 assembly polls, will make a rare public appearance and address the cadre. Party leaders say she will use the platform to motivate the rank and file, many of whom are disheartened by successive defeats in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

The Meeting That Set the Stage

The announcement of the rally came during a meeting of BSP leaders and workers at the state party office on Sunday. Reviewing organisational preparations, Mayawati directed her leaders to mobilise workers across Uttar Pradesh under the slogan “Lucknow Chalo" and ensure the success of the October 9 show of strength.

However, what caught attention was the conspicuous absence of Akash Anand, Mayawati’s nephew and newly appointed BSP national convenor. His no-show at the crucial meeting sparked murmurs of unease within the party, as he is projected as her political heir.

Party insiders, however, sought to downplay the controversy, saying Akash was preoccupied with reviewing preparations for the Sarvajan Hitay Yatra, which the BSP will launch from Bhabhua in Bihar’s Kaimur region on September 10. Mayawati has entrusted him with the responsibility of steering the BSP’s solo fight in the Bihar assembly elections. Yet, his absence from a key meeting in Lucknow, where the October 9 rally was finalised, raised eyebrows about coordination and internal communication within the BSP.

Mayawati’s Rare Public Appearance

Since the 2012 assembly debacle, Mayawati has largely confined her political activities to the precincts of her Mall Avenue bungalow, rarely addressing rallies or public meetings. The October 9 rally thus carries symbolic significance as it marks her first major outreach to the cadre in years.

“Behen-ji will give a message to the party cadre from the Kanshi Ram Memorial for the preparation of the 2027 assembly election and motivate the workers who are downcast due to successive defeats," said a BSP functionary.

The Kanshi Ram Memorial, constructed when the BSP was in power in 2007, has long been seen as a site of inspiration for party workers. Recently renovated, it has now been chosen by Mayawati to “set the pitch" for the next electoral battle.

BSP’s Position in UP Politics

The BSP, once a formidable player in Uttar Pradesh with its social engineering model of Dalit-Brahmin unity, has witnessed a steady decline over the past decade. In the 2022 assembly elections, the party won just one seat out of 403, with a vote share dipping below 13 per cent. The 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where the BSP contested in alliance with the Samajwadi Party, saw a temporary revival with 10 seats. But the partnership collapsed, and the 2024 general elections pushed the BSP back into obscurity.

Political observers said the party’s shrinking presence has left much of its core Dalit vote bank vulnerable to poaching by both the BJP and the SP. The October 9 rally is seen as Mayawati’s attempt to reclaim that space.

Mayawati’s Message

In her address to workers on Sunday, Mayawati also raised concerns about the prevailing political climate. Without naming anyone, she alleged a “political conspiracy" was underway to disturb social harmony by disrespecting religious places and revered figures. She urged governments to abandon “narrow, casteist and communal politics" and instead enforce rule of law so that ordinary people could live peacefully and focus on livelihood and education.

She also touched upon economic issues, criticising the sharp tariff hike imposed by the US on Indian goods. She called on the BJP-led Union government to adopt “strong and meaningful reforms" to shield the masses from rising poverty, inflation, unemployment, and migration.

Expert Views

According to Shashikant Pandey, head of the Department of Political Science at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, the October 9 rally will be crucial for gauging the BSP’s future prospects.

“Mayawati has been politically inactive for years, which has demoralised her cadre. This rally is her attempt to reconnect with them. But the challenge is enormous. The BSP’s organisational network has weakened at the grassroots, while its vote base has fragmented. Unless she can re-energise both the cadre and the Dalit-Bahujan constituency, a comeback will remain difficult," Pandey said.

On Akash Anand’s absence, he added: “The fact that Mayawati’s chosen successor skipped such an important meeting will only fuel speculation about the party’s coordination. If the BSP wants to present itself as a serious contender, both Mayawati and Akash need to be seen working in tandem."

As the 2027 assembly elections draw closer, the BSP’s ability to rebuild its cadre, recapture its vote bank, and project Mayawati as a viable alternative will decide if this rally is remembered as the beginning of a comeback or the last big show of a party in decline.

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