Mayawati's Challenges in Maintaining BSP's National Party Status

Mayawati is facing challenges in maintaining the Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) status as a national party. The party is at risk of losing this status, and in response, has decided to contest all 10 seats in the upcoming by-elections in Uttar Pradesh. This marks a departure from the party's previous strategy of avoiding by-elections, as Mayawati believed that only the ruling party in the state benefitted from such contests. However, BSP recently suffered a setback in West Uttar Pradesh when Vijendra Chaudhary, who contested the 2024 elections on a BSP ticket from Bijnor Lok Sabha seat, left the party. Additionally, Azad Samaj Party leader Chandrashekhar Azad has emerged as a formidable challenger to Mayawati, having won the election from Nagina.

To counter these challenges, Mayawati has appointed her nephew Akash Anand as the National Coordinator of BSP and her potential successor. While there were talks of Chaudhary Vijendra Singh contesting the by-election from Meerapur assembly seat, his departure from BSP has left a void. It is crucial for Mayawati to strategically navigate these challenges if she intends to maintain the party's national presence. Coalition politics may be a viable option for BSP to consider, even in the context of by-elections.

BSP's National Party Status and Criteria

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is among the six political parties in India recognized as national parties by the Election Commission. To qualify for national party status, a political party must meet specific criteria outlined in the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. This includes having at least four Members of Parliament and securing at least 6% of the total valid votes polled in four or more states in the preceding general election. Additionally, a party must win at least 2% of seats in the Lok Sabha and have representation from at least three states.

Maintaining national party status is essential for BSP's political relevance and influence on the national stage. The party's ability to meet the criteria outlined by the Election Commission is crucial in determining its status as a national party. As BSP faces challenges internally and externally, including the emergence of strong competitors like Chandrashekhar Azad, it becomes vital for the party to strategize and navigate these obstacles effectively to safeguard its national party status. In the dynamic landscape of Indian politics, BSP's ability to adapt and forge strategic alliances may be key in ensuring its continued presence as a national party.