No Inclusion Of Mayawati's BSP In INDIA Bloc, Says Pawar

Reacting to the inclusion of the Mayawati-led party in the INDIA bloc, National Congress Party President Sharad Pawar on Wednesday asserted that no decision has been taken yet until there is clarity on whose side she is on.

His remarks came at a joint press conference at the Grand Hyatt Hotel amid speculation that Mayawati and the INDIA bloc could be in touch for a possible inclusion of the party, though sources on both sides have denied any such consideration.

"There is no clarity on which side Mayawati is. She has had a dialogue with the Bharatiya Janata Party in the past. I am not saying she would do that now either. But unless there is clarity on this, no decision can be taken," Pawar was quoted as saying.

Earlier in the day, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said all parties are eager for an alliance with the BSP but there is "no question" of her party joining hands with either the BJP-led NDA or the opposition's INDIA alliance.

Her remarks on the alliance on the platform X came a day ahead of the INDIA alliance's meeting in Mumbai during which the opposition leaders are expected to chalk out a joint campaign strategy to take on the BJP-led NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Mayawati claimed that both the NDA and the INDIA blocs consist of parties most of which have "anti-poor, casteist, communal, pro-rich and capitalist policies" against which the BSP's struggle continues and hence question of contesting elections in alliance with them does not arise. She further to the media to stop propagating fake news.