Mayawati Calls Rahul Gandhi a 'Chameleon', Promises Two Deputy CMs in Haryana

In a fiery speech at a rally in Uchana, Haryana, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati didn't hold back in her criticism of opposition parties, particularly targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's remarks came during a joint rally with Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, marking the 111th birth anniversary of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal.

Rahul Gandhi: The Political Chameleon?

Mayawati pulled no punches in her assessment of Rahul Gandhi's stance on reservation. "Rahul Gandhi, when abroad, announces plans to end reservation in the coming times. But when he's in India, during state elections, he changes colors like a chameleon and claims to support reservation," she said. This accusation of inconsistency strikes at the heart of Congress's credibility among backward classes and scheduled castes. 

A Promise of Inclusive Leadership

In a bid to woo voters, Mayawati made a significant announcement about the leadership structure if the BSP-INLD alliance comes to power. "If our alliance forms the government, Abhay Chautala will be made the Chief Minister," she declared. But the promise didn't stop there. Mayawati went on to say, "One Deputy Chief Minister will be from BSP, and another from Other Backward Classes. The decision on who these Deputy CMs will be will be made after the results."

The Reservation Controversy

The BSP chief didn't mince words when it came to the issue of reservation. "Both Congress and BJP are engaged in ending reservation," Mayawati claimed. She urged the crowd, "If you want to save reservation, don't vote for these two parties." This strong stance on reservation is clearly aimed at consolidating support among the scheduled castes and backward classes, traditionally strong vote banks for the BSP. 

A Glimpse into BSP's Governance Vision 

Mayawati took the opportunity to highlight her party's track record in Uttar Pradesh. She boasted about providing the highest sugarcane rates to farmers during her tenure as Chief Minister, claiming that no one has matched it since. She also spoke about ensuring fair prices for crops and timely payments to farmers. Additionally, Mayawati mentioned her efforts to end corruption in government recruitments, which she said benefited various communities including Jats in western UP.

The BSP-INLD alliance is contesting all 90 assembly seats, with INLD fighting on 53 seats and BSP on 37. The promises made and the sharp criticism of opposition parties indicate that the alliance is positioning itself as a strong alternative to the traditional Congress-BJP binary in the state.

The rally, which saw a massive turnout causing traffic jams on the Jind-Patiala highway, clearly demonstrates the potential impact of this alliance on Haryana's political future. As the state inches closer to the assembly elections, it remains to be seen how these promises and accusations will shape voter preferences.