Mayawati holds UPA, BJP equally responsible for rising fuel prices

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) President Mayawati on Thursday held both the previous UPA government and the current BJP government equally responsible for soaring fuel prices in India. 

Mayawati’s comment comes days after her party distanced itself from the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by Congress on the steep rise of the fuel prices. It comes as a huge blow to Congress, who expected to fight the 2019 Lok Sabha elections together with BSP.

“These remarks, at a time when the need for unity among opposition parties is being felt clearly among all partners, could send a wrong signal both to the public and the ruling party which is already doubting our strength,” a Congress insider told news agency PTI today, on the condition of anonymity.

According to the report, the Congress party is certainly not happy with her observations and are very sceptical about her intentions. A senior Congress leader claimed that such remark by Mayawati is a part of her ploy to get more seats for her party in the upcoming assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

“By doing so, she is sort of trying to gain an upper hand in negotiations for the assembly seats in these states…it is, however, for the central leadership to understand that we should weigh our options and potential before entering into an alliance,” the Congress leader said.

He further stated, “Although the foundation of the intricacies of the alliance for the Lok Sabha polls will be set much before in the assembly elections in these states, the party leadership needs to be clear that its negotiations on seat sharing should not be at the cost of the party and its workers as Congress is the stronger party in these states.”

Speaking about the hike fuel prices, Mayawati accused both the NDA and UPA governments of ignoring the farmers and the poor.  The previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had brought fuel out of government control and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) continued with the UPA’s policy, said Mayawati reported the website. She also accused the NDA of removing the restrictions on the use of diesel, which have hurt the interests of the poor.

Also read: Ahead of 2019 polls, Congress reaches out to Mayawati, Akhilesh for mega UP deal: Sources