With the war between the Congress and the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party hotting up in Uttar Pradesh, it is the Samajwadi Party that finds itself getting elbowed out of the political arena.
Both the Congress and the BSP have been lashing out at each other, completely ignoring the Samajwadi Party which remains the main opposition force in the state as well as in the state legislature. The BSP and the Samajwadi Party have been arch rivals since the infamous June 2 State Guest House incident in 1995 and their leaders have used unprintable words against each other.
However, since more than the past one year, UP chief minister Mayawati has completely stopped making statements against the Samajwadi Party and its leaders. In fact, the Samajwadi Party does not even find a mention in her press conferences and press statements.
Similarly, the Congress refuses to make it clear if the Samajwadi Party is a friend or a foe in UP and its leaders choose to ignore the Samajwadis.
“With the Congress and the BSP hitting each other with alarming regularity it almost seems that UP is gearing up for a Congress versus BSP battle in the next assembly elections while the Samajwadi Party is ending up as a persona non-grata in this political battle. In politics, one may be loved or hated but if one is ignored, then it means the end for him,” said a Samajwadi leader.
The Samajwadi leadership, according to sources, is acutely aware of this situation and is desperately trying to turn the spotlight on itself.
“We have held demonstrations against the Mayawati government and the people’s support has also been tremendous. However, the media has not played up our events as a result of which people think that we are sitting quiet. The party is working overtime to prepare for the next Assembly elections and the results will speak for themselves,” said a party functionary.