Mayawati faces ire of workers after loss

Lucknow: A revolt is simmering in the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) with the party workers now questioning the decisions that led to the party’s rout in recently-concluded Assembly elections and, earlier, in the Lok Sabha elections.

The growing anger among the party workers may now compel BSP president Mayawati to restructure the party organisation and bring back committed party leaders to the forefront.

Sources said that some leaders who had quit the BSP could be brought back into the party. Former minister Daddu Prasad is one of them.

Party coordinators and leaders are facing the wrath of party workers in the meetings being held to decide on the demonstration against use of EVMs, scheduled to be held on April 11.

This is the first time in the history of the BSP that its workers are holding demonstrations against its leaders.

Senior BSP leader Naseemuddin Siddiqui had to face slogan shouting and misbehaviour of the party workers in meetings held in Muzaffarnagar, Meerut and Moradabad two days ago. BSP MLC Sunil Chittor was also targeted at a party meeting.

Party coordinators who act as a link between the BSP president and the cadres are being targeted by party workers in almost all meetings.

“There is something very wrong. Ticket distribution, which apparently comes with a price tag, is mainly responsible for the BSP rout. Why should dalits vote for a candidate who has done nothing for the party and is contesting only because he can pay a huge amount of money?” said Mr Kaushal, a BSP worker from Muzaffarnagar. BSP workers are particularly upset with the role of party coordinators and want them removed.

“Party coordinators were supposed to be the eyes and ears of the party president but they have turned into ATMs now. Most coordinators have made quick money,” said a party worker.