Mayawati’s political journey has been very important in the history of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Before entering politics, Mayawati was preparing to become an IAS officer. During this time, he met Kanshiram, after which the direction of his life changed.
Mayawati’s political journey: The political journey of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Mayawati is counted among the important chapters of Indian politics. Mayawati started her public life not with politics, but with education and preparation for competitive exams. His goal was to work against social discrimination by joining the Indian Administrative Service. Later, meeting Kanshi Ram changed the direction of her career and she came into active politics.
From teacher to IAS aspirant
Mayawati was born on 15 January 1956 in Delhi. His family was originally from Badalpur village in Gautam Buddha Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. His father was an employee in the postal department. Mayawati continued her studies amid the social and economic circumstances of her family. He did his graduation from Kalindi College, Delhi University and then did B.Ed. After teaching training, he also did teaching work in Delhi. Later she completed her law studies and during this time she started preparing for the Indian Administrative Service.
His autobiographical book also mentions childhood experiences related to social discrimination. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s thoughts and writings also influenced his social outlook. According to Mayawati, she wanted to go into administrative service and work for the rights of the deprived classes.
A speech caught Kanshiram’s attention
The turning point in Mayawati’s political career came in the late 1970s. His autobiography mentions an event organized at the Constitution Club in Delhi in 1977. In this program he expressed his views on issues related to caste and Dalits. The information about Mayawati’s speech reached Kanshi Ram. Kanshi Ram was active in organizing the Bahujan community at that time. It is mentioned in the biography written about her that Kanshi Ram, impressed by Mayawati’s candor and her understanding of social issues, went to meet her at her house.
Kanshiram inspired Mayawati to enter politics. According to him, work towards broader social change could be achieved through political power rather than becoming an administrative officer. He encouraged Mayawati to play an active role in organization and mass politics.
Organizational journey started with BAMCEF and DS-4
After joining Kanshi Ram, Mayawati became active in organizations related to the Bahujan movement. She joined BAMCEF and later DS-4. During this period, he developed his political identity through speeches, public relations and organization building. It has been told in the works written on the biography of Kanshiram that Mayawati’s role gradually became important in the organization. After this, Kanshi Ram formed Bahujan Samaj Party in 1984.
First election in 1984, but did not win
After its formation, BSP entered the electoral fray for the first time in the 1984 Lok Sabha elections. The party made Mayawati its candidate from Kairana Lok Sabha seat. She received 44,445 votes and stood third in the election. After this, Mayawati also contested the by-elections of Bijnor in 1985 and Haridwar in 1987. He did not win these elections, but his votes increased continuously. He got more than one lakh votes in Haridwar elections.
Mayawati became MP in 1989
A major change in Mayawati’s political journey came in the 1989 Lok Sabha elections. He contested the elections from Bijnor seat of Uttar Pradesh and won. She received 1,83,189 votes and defeated Congress candidate Asha Chaudhary by a margin of 81,471 votes. In the same election, Kanshi Ram also contested from Amethi and East Delhi, but he did not get success on both the seats. In Amethi, he was competing against Rajiv Gandhi, while in East Delhi he stood third.
Three BSP candidates were successful in winning the Lok Sabha elections in 1989. Apart from Mayawati, Harbhajan Lakra won from Phillaur seat of Punjab and Ram Kishan won from Azamgarh.
Mayawati reached Parliament before Guru
In this way, Mayawati, who started her political journey with Kanshi Ram, reached the Lok Sabha before her political guru. The 1989 victory marked the beginning of a new phase in his national political career. After this, BSP increased its organization and election activities in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab as well as other states. In the coming years, Mayawati became one of the prominent leaders of Indian politics and her role in the politics of Uttar Pradesh became important.