Mayawati Accuses Opposition of Misleading Dalits with False Propaganda Ahead of Elections

On July 12, 2026, Mayawati, chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), accused opposition parties of misleading Dalits and other marginalized groups through false propaganda ahead of elections. She criticized recent demonstrations and road blockades as political gimmicks following Lalita Gautam's murder in Meerut district, which led to protests and police action. The Congress party responded by accusing Mayawati of mimicking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) playbook and opposing legitimate public protests for justice.