Knocking On Mayawati's Door: Is Congress Exploring Options Beyond SP Ahead Of 2027 UP Polls?
Knocking On Mayawati's Door: Is Congress Exploring Options Beyond SP Ahead Of 2027 UP Polls? Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: June 03, 2026, 15:05
Knocking On Mayawati's Door: Is Congress Exploring Options Beyond SP Ahead Of 2027 UP Polls? Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: June 03, 2026, 15:05 IST The controversy erupted after Congress SC Department national chairman Rajendra Pal Gautam, Barabanki MP Tanuj Punia and a few other leaders visited Mayawati's residence Rapid Read Rahul Gandhi with Akhilesh Yadav (Image: PTI) As the battle for Dalit votes intensifies in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 polls, a failed meeting between senior Congress leaders and BSP chief Mayawati has become the latest flashpoint in the state’s evolving political circle. The incident has sparked questions about whether Congress is seeking to build bridges with the BSP even as it remains formally aligned with the Samajwadi Party or it is keeping its options open beyond SP. The controversy erupted after Congress Scheduled Caste Department national chairman Rajendra Pal Gautam, Barabanki MP Tanuj Punia and a few other leaders visited Mayawati’s residence in Lucknow on May 19. The leaders, however, were unable to meet the BSP supremo and returned after leaving their names and contact details at the gate. What may have otherwise passed off as a routine political courtesy quickly snowballed into a major political talking point because of its timing. The visit came when Rahul Gandhi was touring Uttar Pradesh and stepping up the Congress’s outreach among Dalits and other marginalised communities through public meetings and social justice campaigns.
Congress leaders have insisted there was nothing political about the visit. Tanuj Punia said the delegation had merely gone to inquire about Mayawati’s health after hearing concerns regarding her well-being during a party meeting in Lucknow. The Uttar Pradesh Congress leadership moved swiftly to distance itself from the episode. State Congress president Ajay Rai described it as a personal initiative by the leaders and clarified that the party had neither authorised nor directed any delegation to meet the BSP chief. Congress’s Uttar Pradesh in-charge Avinash Pande also said the party had taken serious note of the matter and issued show-cause notices to the leaders involved. The incident has acquired greater significance because it comes amid growing discussions over opposition unity and seat-sharing ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Just hours before the Congress leaders attempted to meet Mayawati, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had indicated that the SP-Congress alliance would continue into the next Assembly election. However, he also reiterated that seat allocation would be based on “winnability" rather than fixed formulas. That position has fuelled speculation about possible differences within the opposition camp. Congress leaders believe the party deserves a larger share of seats after its improved performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and Rahul Gandhi’s aggressive campaign around issues of social justice, caste census and constitutional rights. Political observers point out that both Congress and the Samajwadi Party are competing for influence among Dalits, backward classes and minorities — the very social coalition Akhilesh Yadav has sought to consolidate under the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) framework.
At the same time, Congress has significantly expanded its outreach to Dalit communities. During his recent visit to Raebareli, Rahul Gandhi attended a Bahujan Swabhiman Sabha, unveiled a statue of freedom fighter Veera Pasi and repeatedly highlighted issues of social equality, constitutional rights and representation. Prof Shashikant Pandey, Head of the Department of Political Science at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, believes the controversy reflects the growing competition for Dalit support in Uttar Pradesh. “The Congress leaders’ attempt to meet Mayawati should be viewed in the context of the intensifying competition for the Dalit vote in UP. While there is no evidence of a formal alliance exercise at this stage, the optics are politically significant. Congress is trying to expand its social base among Dalits and marginalised communities, whereas the BSP remains the principal party identified with Dalit political assertion. Any communication between leaders of the two parties naturally fuels speculation about future political alignments," he said. Pandey added that Congress finds itself in a delicate position. “On one hand, it wants to continue its alliance with the Samajwadi Party; on the other, it is keen to strengthen its independent Dalit outreach. Since Mayawati continues to command symbolic influence among a section of Dalit voters, even an informal outreach assumes political significance. However, speculation about a Congress-BSP alliance appears premature," he said. Against this backdrop, the presence of Congress’s prominent Dalit leaders at Mayawati’s residence has inevitably been viewed through a political lens.
The backgrounds of the leaders involved have further fuelled speculation. Rajendra Pal Gautam was once associated with the BSP before moving to other political platforms, while Tanuj Punia is the son of veteran Congress leader PL Punia, who served as principal secretary to Mayawati during her tenure as chief minister. For now, there is no evidence of any formal Congress-BSP negotiations. Yet the optics of senior Congress Dalit leaders arriving unannounced at Mayawati’s residence — and returning empty-handed — have generated fresh debate over the future of opposition politics in Uttar Pradesh. Whether it was a simple courtesy call or an exploratory political outreach, the incident has highlighted the centrality of Dalit politics in the run-up to the 2027 Assembly elections. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: June 03, 2026, 15:05 IST News india Knocking On Mayawati's Door: Is Congress Exploring Options Beyond SP Ahead Of 2027 UP Polls? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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