BSP to fight Lok Sabha polls alone, no plan to retire from politics: Mayawati

Lucknow: BSP supremo Mayawati on Monday reiterated that her party will contest alone in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls and that it won't be part of the opposition's grand I.N.D.I.A alliance.

Speaking to the media here, Mayawati, who turned 68 on Monday, however said that her party was "open" to a ''post-poll'' tie-up with certain conditions.

The BSP supremo also rejected assertions in some quarters that she was planning to retire from active politics after handing over the mantle to her nephew Akash Anand.

''BSP will not have electoral understanding with any party in the LS polls....BSP does not gain from the alliances and on the contrary it is at a disadvantage in the event of a tie-up,'' she said.

''It has been our experience that our votes are transferred to the allies but their votes, especially those of the upper castes, do not get transferred to us,'' Mayawati added.

She said that her party could consider a post-poll tie up but with certain conditions. ''Our support in a post-poll tie-up will not be free...we will not join hands with parties with a communal agenda,'' she added.

The BSP leader also raised questions on the impartiality of the polls through the EVM and said that the elections must be free and fair.

Mayawati also said that she had no plans to retire from active politics. ''There have been speculations that I am planning to retire after declaring Akash Anand my political heir...I am not retiring...I will continue to serve the party,'' she said.

The BSP supremo attacked Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav and said that the latter had been trying to mislead the Dalits. She cautioned her supporters against falling into his trap.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called Mayawati and wished her on her birthday. Adityanath's birthday wish to Mayawati comes close on the heels of UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya's assurance to her to ensure her security after she apprehended threat from the SP workers.