BSP Chief Mayawati Says She Will Not Contest Lok Sabha Election

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Wednesday announced she would not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election . 

“I won’t contest polls. I am confident that my party will completely understand my decision,” Mayawati said, NDTV reported.

“In view of the present circumstances and the need of the country and the interests of the party, the movement and the public, it is the need of the hour that I do not contest the Lok Sabha polls. And this is the reason that I have decided not to contest the Lok Sabha polls,” the BSP supremo told reporters in Lucknow.

The BSP chief suggested that if she contests, the party workers will focus on her seat even if she forbids them, affecting the campaign in other constituencies.

“Hence, winning each and every Lok Sabha seat is more important than my personal victory,” Mayawati said.

“If it so happens that I have to get elected to the Lok Sabha later, I can contest from any seat by getting it vacated and become an MP. I will not face any problem,” she added.

The BSP has allied with the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal in Uttar Pradesh to contest the elections. Polls in the state will be held in seven phases.

On Monday, Mayawati had rebuffed the Congress, saying BSP-SP-RLD alliance was capable of defeating the BJP on its own.

The BSP chief asked Congress to not “spread confusion” after the party said it was leaving seven Lok Sabha seats for alliance in UP.

(With PTI inputs)