Politics does make strange bedfellows, particularly in Uttar Pradesh.
After remaining bitter foes for almost 15 years, former BJP leader Kalyan Singh has extended the olive branch to UP chief minister Mayawati. The latter, however, has not responded as yet.
Mr Kalyan Singh has asked Ms Mayawati to support the candidate of his Jan Kranti Party in the byelection to the Nidhauli Kalan seat that fell vacant following the death of a Samajwadi Party MLA.
Mr Kalyan Singh said that since the BSP was no contesting the by-elections, he wanted Ms Mayawati to support his candidate and ensure the defeat of the Samajwadi Party.
Mr Singh reasoned that the Samajwadi Party was a common enemy and with BSP support, he could easily trounce the SP candidate.
Ms Mayawati, according to sources, has refrained from publicly reacting to Mr Kalyan Singh’s proposal since she apparently does not wish to annoy Muslim voters by giving any kind of support to him.
“The BSP may transfer its votes to Kalyan Singh’s candidate at the end of the campaign in order to ensure that SP and Congress bite dust. We may send indications to our voters but we will not be vocal in our support to Kalyan Singh because we cannot risk our support base among Muslims,” said a senior BSP functionary.
It is noteworthy that this is the first time that Kalyan Singh has softened his attitude towards Ms Mayawati.