Bahujan Samaj Party BSP President Mayawati on Thursday June 5 2025 reiterated her longstanding demand to bring back ballot paper-based elections, claiming that the shift away from Electronic Voting Machines EVMs has been instrumental in diminishing the party’s success in recent polls. She expressed confidence that a return to the old voting system would revive the party’s golden era, especially in its traditional strongholds like Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing a press conference, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister stated that the BSP’s prospects have been intentionally sabotaged by political parties who she alleged are manipulating EVMs. She asserted that this manipulation is part of a larger strategy to prevent Bahujan representation in the country’s political mainstream.

EVM manipulation and vote transfer tactics

Mayawati claimed that political rivals—both ruling and opposition—were employing tactics to create confusion within the Dalit and marginalised voter base. According to her, self-serving and opportunistic outfits have been propped up using individuals from oppressed communities, in a deliberate attempt to mislead voters and split the BSP vote bank.

She said such outfits are created with the sole purpose of dividing votes in BSP-dominated regions, adding that in many cases, established political parties were transferring their own vote shares to these newly created entities to secure narrow electoral victories against BSP candidates.

She warned that despite some leaders from these groups gaining electoral office, there would be no actual benefit to Dalits or other marginalised groups, because these leaders do not represent the true Bahujan ideology. She urged her party workers to be vigilant against organisations that use the names of B R Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram without being aligned with their core philosophies.

Return to ballot paper is key to revival

Mayawati said that many political parties across the spectrum were now echoing the BSP’s long-held concerns over EVM credibility. She claimed that the growing chorus among opposition parties shows that public trust in the electronic voting system has eroded.

She insisted that **reverting to ballot papers in all elections—local, state, and national—**is the only way to ensure transparency and restore public confidence. While acknowledging that such a change may not occur under the current administration, she expressed hope that it might become possible if power shifts at the Centre in the near future.

She asserted that such a reform would help the BSP reconnect with its core support base and trigger a political resurgence. According to Mayawati, a manual voting system would be far more resistant to tampering and manipulation.

Broader concerns on economy and national security

Mayawati’s address also touched upon economic and security issues affecting the country. She lamented the lack of inclusive growth, saying that Bahujans have not received equitable participation in India’s economic expansion. Issues such as widespread unemployment and persistent poverty among marginalised communities remain unresolved, she added.

On matters of national security, she alleged that India’s borders have been insecure for several years, leading to recurring terror incidents. She referenced the recent Pahalgam terror attack, calling it deeply saddening and alarming, and criticised the politicisation of such events.

She stated that sensitive national issues should not be used for political gain, pointing out that using tragedies to build electoral narratives is disrespectful to the victims and detrimental to national unity.

Message to party cadre and supporters

Throughout her remarks, Mayawati emphasised the need for unity within the BSP ranks and warned against being swayed by short-term electoral inducements offered by other parties. She encouraged party workers to stay true to the ideals of Kanshi Ram and Ambedkar, and work toward long-term empowerment rather than short-lived representation.

She reaffirmed the BSP’s role as the authentic voice of Dalits and marginalised communities, claiming that no other party or organisation truly represents their interests with the same consistency and commitment.

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