Mayawati Opts out of 2019 Lok Sabha race; says still possible to become PM, minister at Centre

BSP chief Mayawati on Wednesday announced she will not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, however, stressed it was not necessary to be an MP to become a minister or a Prime Minister.

The statement announcing her decision pointedly mentioned that a minister or a Prime Minister has six months to become a member of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha.

"In view of the present circumstances and the need of the country and the interests of the party, the movement and the public, it is the need of the hour that I do not contest the Lok Sabha polls,” Mayawati had said.

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There have been multiple instances in the past wherein the Bahujan Samaj Party chief had shown keenness on becoming the country’s Prime Minister with posters being put up by her supporters in Uttar Pradesh on various occasions.

"When I became UP Chief Minister the first time in 1995, I was not a member of either the UP Assembly or the Council. It is a similar provision at the Centre, where a person has to become a Lok Sabha or a Rajya Sabha member within six months of holding office of a minister or the prime minister,” she further added.

“Don't get disheartened by my decision to not contest the Lok Sabha polls now," she tweeted.

"If it so happens that I have to get elected to the Lok Sabha later, I can contest from any seat by getting it vacated and becoming an MP. I will not face any problem," she said.

Mayawati claimed that all she has to do is to file the nomination papers and her party workers will ensure her victory. The BSP chief suggested that if she contests now, party workers will focus on her seat even if she forbids them, affecting the campaign in other constituencies.

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(With agency inputs)