I don’t meet anyone secretly.

Ever since Samajwadi Party veteran Azam Khan was released from jail, speculation has been rife in Uttar Pradesh politics. There was talk that Azam Khan might join the Bahujan Samaj Party. Mayawati has now addressed this issue at a massive rally in Lucknow. Regarding rumors about Azam Khan, BSP chief Mayawati, without directly naming him, said that false news had begun circulating last month claiming that leaders from other parties were joining the BSP and had met with him in Delhi and Lucknow. She clarified, “I haven’t met anyone. I don’t meet anyone secretly.” BSP supremo Mayawati called the Samajwadi Party “duplicitous,” accusing it of co-opting Dalit leaders in pursuit of power. Addressing a rally on the 19th death anniversary of Bahujan Samaj Party founder Kanshi Ram, Mayawati said that the SP forgets Dalits while in power and remembers them only when necessary. While in power, they neither remember the PDA nor the saints, gurus, and great men associated with it. But as soon as they lose power, they suddenly start remembering our saints, gurus, and great men. People need to be very wary of such hypocrites. The rally in Lucknow, the state capital where Mayawati once served as Chief Minister, drew a large crowd. In her speech, she accused the SP of allowing Dalit memorials and parks to deteriorate due to neglect.