Arch Rivals For 24 Years! : Maya shares stage with MSY, calls him genuine OBC leader

Mainpuri: Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Ministers Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati on Friday erased 24 years of bitter hostilities and shared the same platform in Mainpuri where the BSP president took on Prime Minister Narendra Modi while the Samajwadi Party patriarch declared that this will be his last election.

The two leaders sat side by side even as the crowds lustily cheered the alliance. Mulayam Singh Yadav introduced her to Samajwadi Party workers and asked them to touch her feet to show their respect.

In her speech, Mayawati said Mulayam Singh Yadav was a genuine backward caste leader who had united various caste groups.

"He is not a fake (farzi) OBC leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi who claims to be an OBC leader but has done nothing for OBCs and Dalits," she said. Mayawati asked people to recognize the genuine leaders of their caste and ensure their victory.

"Ensure the victory of Mulayam Singh Yadav. His son Akhilesh Yadav is carrying forward his father's legacy," she added, referring to the other former UP Chief Minister who too later took on Modi.

In her speech, Mayawati said: "You must ensure a historic win for Mulayam Singh Yadav." She said that the 'natakbazi' of the Prime Minister on the 'chowkidar' issue would not have the desired impact on the voters now.

She blasted the Modi government for betraying the people by making false promises, including giving Rs 15 lakh to all Indians. She stated that if the SP-BSP-RLD alliance came to power, she would ensure financial assistance for the poor.

The BSP leader taunted the Prime Minister for terming the alliance as 'Sarab' and said that the BJP was intoxicated with power and had to be voted out.

She said that several questions were being raised about her party's alliance with Samajwadi Party. "I have already explained that some decisions are taken in larger national interests. We have also done the same."