No pact; a call came and Bhim Army chief Azad backtracked, says Akhilesh Yadav

In a fast-changing political scenario of Uttar Pradesh, weeks before the polling beings, the possibility for alliance between Samajwadi Party which represents OBC, and Bhim Army which represents Dalits reached a dead end as the alliance was called off after initial confirmation on Saturday afternoon.

The alliance could have stopped the split among opposition votes by bringing Dalits – disillusioned with Mayawati – and Samajwadi Party (SP) together in Western UP.

But sources said both parties could not reach an electoral agreement due to various conflicting issues and unrealistic demands put forth by Bhim Army chief Chandrasekhar Azad.

While Aazad called Akhilesh Yadav, national president of the Samajwadi Party “anti-Dalits” in a press conference, Yadav said “a call came, and Azad backtracked.”

“Akhilesh has insulted Dalits. He only needs Dalit votes, not leaders. It has become clear from his behaviour,” said Azad while launching salvo at Akhilesh.

Replying to this, Akhilesh said, “I told him (Azad) I can give two seats including the Ghaziabad seat. But he said can't fight polls, my party not satisfied over seats. It's a conspiracy”.

Azad who has recently floated Azad Samaj Party (ASP) even accused Akhilesh of insulting Dalits.

“He humiliated the people of Bahujan Samaj. I tried for 1 month 3 days but the alliance could not happen,” said Azad.

The development came as a surprise as Azad has told media that the “alliance has been confirmed.”

"I follow the principles of Kashiram who made Netaji the leader. It was an apprehension among all of us that what if Dalits have to go through exploitation once their party comes to power. In the last two days, the Bahujan society has been insulted,” claimed Azad.

While ASP wanted a concrete reservation plan, SP did not agree to it, Azad said. But the SP said claimed that the talks for teh alliance failed because Azad was demaing too many seats.

With talks for an alliance with the SP breaking down and major parties such as Congress, BSP and SP releasing their first list, all doors seem to be shut on Azad.