After UP bypolls, Yogi quotes Gita, Akhilesh remembers Kanshi Ram

A day after BJP suffered a humiliating defeat in bypolls, Uttar Pradesh witnessed two interesting developments. One, Akhilesh Yadav issued a congratulatory message on the birth anniversary of BSP founder Kanshi Ram, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took to Gita to propagate principle of steadfastness in the face of victory or defeat.

“One should not feel happy or sad over poll results. The victory entrusts more responsibility on you while loss gives you an opportunity to analyse the result. Stay calm. Do not get get swayed by the result,” said Yogi Adityanath at a function.

Akhilesh’s message on the 84th birth anniversary of Kanshi Ram was an attempt to give a new meaning to Samajwadi Party’s friendship with Bahujan Samaj Party. This was a routine press release issued by Samajwadi Party in its evening bulletin. But what raised eyebrows was that it was probably the first time Akhilesh had sent a congratulatory message on the birth anniversary of Kanshi Ram.

In his message, Akhilesh said Kanshi Ram had struggled to provide social justice to downtrodden and poor. “He (Kanshi Ram) was a champion of Dalits. His struggle gave a new dimension to Dalit empowerment,’ stated Akhilesh, in his eight-line press statement.

This message, which was released to the press on Thursday, speaks volumes about efforts being made by Akhilesh to mend bridges with Mayawati. “Let bygones be bygones. I am ready to give an old relation a re-look,” said Akhilesh, hinting at a thaw in relationship between him and Mayawati, particularly after BSP supported SP candidate in the bypolls, which resulted in SP’s victory in Gorakhpur and Phulpur.

Interestingly, it was only Samajwadi Party, which took pains to remember Kanshi Ram and send a release when even the Bahujan Samaj Party, which Kanshi Ram had formed, decided to give it a miss.

Akhilesh, who for last five years addressed BSP Government as ‘pathar ki sarkar’ paid a visit to Mayawati’s residence after the win. Samajwadi party Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Seth and BSP general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Satish Mishra were also present during the meeting. The meeting between Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati lasted for 45 minutes.