LUCKNOW: In a rare display of solidarity among one-time alliance partners who contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls together and then parted ways on a bitter note, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav came to the defence of BSP supremo Mayawati when a BJP MLA used derogatory words for her at a news channel debate. Mayawati reciprocated, thanking Akhilesh for “rising to the cause”.
It all started when Akhilesh took serious exception to BJP’s Mathura MLA Rajesh Chaudhary calling Mayawati “the most corrupt chief minister of UP ever” during a debate. Akhilesh posted excerpts of the debate and described the BJP legislator’s comment as “extremely deplorable”. He said a defamation suit must be filed against Chaudhary. Akhilesh said use of such language for a former women CM only showed the bitterness that BJP had for women in general and particularly those from the deprived section of society.
“One can have political differences with each other but that does not give the right to anyone to attack her (Mayawati’s) dignity as a woman,” Akhilesh said.
Describing Chaudhary’s allegations a part of BJP’s conspiracy against her and her party, Mayawati expressed gratitude towards Akhilesh for taking a stand on the issue. “The SP chief has responded to the false allegations levelled by the BJP MLA from Mathura district, acknowledging the truth about the BSP chief’s honesty. The party is grateful for this,” she wrote on X.
The development has led to speculations of a thaw between Akhilesh and Mayawati after their parties parted ways days after the 2019 Lok Sabha election results. However, senior functionaries from both parties said the development should be seen in isolation as of now.
It all started when Akhilesh took serious exception to BJP’s Mathura MLA Rajesh Chaudhary calling Mayawati “the most corrupt chief minister of UP ever” during a debate. Akhilesh posted excerpts of the debate and described the BJP legislator’s comment as “extremely deplorable”. He said a defamation suit must be filed against Chaudhary. Akhilesh said use of such language for a former women CM only showed the bitterness that BJP had for women in general and particularly those from the deprived section of society.
“One can have political differences with each other but that does not give the right to anyone to attack her (Mayawati’s) dignity as a woman,” Akhilesh said.
Describing Chaudhary’s allegations a part of BJP’s conspiracy against her and her party, Mayawati expressed gratitude towards Akhilesh for taking a stand on the issue. “The SP chief has responded to the false allegations levelled by the BJP MLA from Mathura district, acknowledging the truth about the BSP chief’s honesty. The party is grateful for this,” she wrote on X.
The development has led to speculations of a thaw between Akhilesh and Mayawati after their parties parted ways days after the 2019 Lok Sabha election results. However, senior functionaries from both parties said the development should be seen in isolation as of now.