BSP Won't Contest UP Local Body Polls, Focus On Assembly Elections: Mayawati

The Congress accused Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati of helping the BJP by pulling out of the zila panchayat chairpersons' elections in Uttar Pradesh.

Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati today said her party will not contest the zila panchayat chairpersons' elections so that it can focus on next year's assembly polls, drawing accusations from the Congress that she is pulling out to help the ruling BJP. She said people wanted the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to form the government next year --- and it will go to the polls with the slogan that Uttar Pradesh must be "saved". Instead of contesting the zila parishad chairperson's elections, the party has decided to channelise its efforts on strengthening the organisation and expanding its base, Mayawati said. She also said her party would have fought the zila chairpersons' elections if they were being held in a fair manner.