Eye on Delhi, Mayawati, Mulayam end 24-yr rivalry to share stage in Mainpuri

But at the mahagathbandhan rally in Mainpuri, the bonhomie showed. Mulayam took Mayawati’s name eight times in his 10-minute speech and Mayawati, in turn, quoted “Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav ji” on ten occasions in her 20-minute address.

After waving to the crowds together, Mulayam turned to take his seat but when his son and SP chief Akhilesh asked him to come forward again, Mayawati put her hand on Mulayam’s elbow and asked Akhilesh not to force him. And once seated, Mulayam asked an SP leader who brought him a bottle of water to touch the feet of Mayawati, sitting next to him and the leader complied.

Explained: The significance of Mayawati and Mulayam Singh Yadav sharing a stage

The two leaders have been at loggerheads since the “Guest House” incident in 1995 when Mayawati was allegedly attacked by SP workers in Lucknow.  (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)

Speaking first, Mulayam started by welcoming Mayawati. “I am very glad that Mayawati and I are on one stage after a long time. And we will have to stay on the same stage,” he said asking the roaring crowd to ensure he wins with a huge margin as this was his “last election”. Mulayam also said that he will never forget Mayawati’s “ehsaan” (favour) of seeking votes for him.

“Mahilayon ke saath shoshan ho raha hai (Women are being exploited). For this, I had raised a question in Lok Sabha and I am happy that leaders from all political parties accepted this and decided to stop the exploitation,” he said.
Taking the stage next, Mayawati did refer to the guest house incident of June 2, 1995. She said: “I know people must be wondering why I have come here to campaign for Mulayam Singh ji despite the State Guest House case.”

“In the interest of the country, public and party, sometimes we have to take such difficult decisions. Keeping this thought and seeing the present circumstances in the country, we have decided to contest this election in alliance with the SP in Uttar Pradesh.”

The chorus in Mainpuri: If they are together, it only makes them stronger

Supporters Mayawati and Mulayam rally in Mainpuri on Friday.Express photo by Vishal Srivastav 19.04.2019

She also targeted Prime Minister Modi alleging that he “misused government machinery” to list his upper castes into “backward category” during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. “He (Mulayam) is not a false and fake member of the backward community like Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mulayam Singh ji is original, real and from the backward community by birth. It is very well known that Narendra Modi during his tenure in Gujarat misused his government machinery to bring his forward castes into the list of backward classes,” she said. Click here for more election news

As the rally wound down, Akhilesh introduced Mayawati’s nephew Akash Anand, who Mulayam blessed on stage and Mayawati ended with her party’s customary “Jai Bhim” and then quickly added the SP’s signature slogan: “jai Lohia” and “jai Bharat”.