Kumari Mayawati Das born on January 15, 1956

Kumari Mayawati is an Indian politician who served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in multiple terms: from 1995 to 1995, 1997 to 1997, 2002 to 2003, and from 2007 to 2012. She is the national president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which advocates for social change for Bahujans encompassing Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and religious minorities since 2003. Additionally, she served as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh from 2012 to 2017. Former Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao has described Mayawati’s rise from modest beginnings as a “miracle of democracy.”

In 1993, Kanshi Ram formed a coalition with the Samajwadi Party, leading to Mayawati becoming Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1995. Her terms in 1997 and 2002 also saw her in the role with outside support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); her second term was cut short in August 2003 when the BJP withdrew its support.

Mayawati’s tenure has been met with both praise and criticism. She is widely regarded as a symbol of empowerment for Dalits across India, who affectionately call her Behen-ji (elder sister). She has been commended for her party’s fundraising efforts and the celebration of her birthdays by supporters. However, her rising personal wealth and that of her party have faced scrutiny and accusations of corruption.

Politics:

Earlier:

Kanshi Ram founded the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in 1984, inspired by B. R. Ambedkar. The party aims to uplift Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other disadvantaged groups through policy reform, affirmative action, and rural development programs. The reservation system in India allocates a percentage of government positions and university seats to these groups. Throughout her career, Mayawati has advocated for expanding reservation quotas and including additional communities, such as religious minorities and economically weaker upper castes. In August 2012, a bill was passed to amend the constitution, allowing reservation in promotions for state jobs.

Mayawati is celebrated by millions of Dalit supporters as an icon, affectionately called “Behen-ji” (sister). Her public rallies attract large crowds, who support her with slogans like “Kanshi Ram’s unfulfilled mission will be completed by Mayawati” and “Sister, go ahead with your struggle; we are with you.”

In 1984, BSP’s first election campaign saw Mayawati contesting various seats, and she was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1989. Despite the party not gaining full control, Mayawati’s political activity grew, leading to BSP securing three seats in the 1989 national elections and two in 1991. Elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1994, she became the youngest Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. She served additional terms in 1997 and 2002-2003 with coalition support.

On December 15, 2001, Kanshi Ram named Mayawati as his successor. She was elected BSP’s national president on September 18, 2003, and re-elected unopposed for a second term on August 27, 2006.

CM of Uttar Pradesh:

As Chief Minister, Mayawati earned a reputation for efficient governance and effective law and order, receiving praise from opposition parties and rivals alike. In 2007, she ordered the arrest of MP Umakant Yadav from her own party, who was implicated in a land grabbing case. During the Ayodhya verdict period in September-October 2010, her government successfully maintained peace and order in the state. Her administration also saw the jailing of several high-profile criminals and mafia leaders. Mayawati advocated for stronger anti-rape laws and her tenure was marked by fewer riots, lower crime rates, and reduced corruption compared to previous and successive governments. The 2007-2012 assembly saw only 124 MLAs declared as crorepatis, compared to 271 in the subsequent assembly elected in 2012. Under her leadership, Uttar Pradesh experienced a notable 17 percent GDP growth rate and a decrease in crime.

1st Term (1995):
Mayawati served her first term as Chief Minister from June 3, 1995, to October 18, 1995, with support from the BJP. During this period, she oversaw the creation of new districts, including Ambedkar Nagar and Udham Singh Nagar.

2nd Term (1997):
Her second term lasted from March 21, 1997, to September 20, 1997. This term saw the distribution of pattas or leasehold land to thousands of landless residents. New districts were established: Gautam Budh Nagar from Ghaziabad, Kaushambi from Allahabad, Jyotiba Phule Nagar (now Amroha) from Moradabad, Mahamaya Nagar (now Hathras) from Aligarh, and Banda was split into Banda and Chatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Nagar. Mayawati also held review meetings with bureaucrats, suspending 127 officers, and initiated the Dr. Ambedkar Awards. She erected over 100 statues of Ambedkar in key towns like Lucknow, Kanpur, and Allahabad.

3rd Term (2002-2003):
Mayawati’s third term, from May 3, 2002, to August 26, 2003, also had BJP support. She suspended 12 IAS officers, including Divisional Commissioners and District Magistrates, and six IPS officers for failing to maintain law and order. Additionally, she initiated the development of Gautam Buddha University on 511 acres and renamed King George’s Medical University to Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University. Three senior officials were suspended following administrative reviews.

4th Term (2007-2012):

Mayawati, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh from May 13, 2007, to March 6, 2012, focused on social justice and employment. Her campaign featured the slogan, “Haathi nahin, Ganesh hain,” associating the BSP‘s elephant symbol with divine figures. During her term, she implemented significant reforms and projects:

Governance: Mayawati’s administration tackled corruption by firing over 18,000 policemen and suspending 25 IPS officers. She introduced transparency in recruitment by posting exam results online.
Social Programs: She proposed a 30% reservation for private sector jobs and launched several development schemes, including the Bhimrao Ambedkar Rural Integrated Development Programme and Dr. Ambedkar Gram Vikas Yojana, improving infrastructure in Dalit-majority villages.
Infrastructure: Major projects included the Yamuna Expressway connecting Delhi to Agra, the Ganga Expressway project, and the establishment of solar power plants. The first 5 MW solar plant started in March 2012, and a 1,320-MW plant was planned with NTPC Limited.
Urban Development: Mayawati initiated Manyawar Shri Kanshiram Ji Shahri Garib Awas Yojna for low-cost housing and set up several memorials for Bahujan Samaj icons. She also renamed multiple districts to honor significant figures.
Healthcare and Education: New hospitals were established, including the Centenary Hospital in Lucknow and the Manyawar Kanshiram Multi-speciality Hospital in Greater Noida. She also distributed bicycles to poor schoolgirls and created awards like the Sant Ravidas Kala Samman.
Administrative Reorganization: Mayawati proposed dividing Uttar Pradesh into four states for better governance. Her cabinet approved this plan in November 2011.

Mayawati’s term ended on March 6, 2012, when the Bahujan Samaj Party lost its majority to the Samajwadi Party. She resigned the following day, becoming the first Chief Minister to complete a full five-year term. She was elected to the Rajya Sabha on March 22, 2012.

Later Career:

Mayawati was re-elected as BSP president for her third term on August 30, 2014, and for her fourth term on August 28, 2019. On December 10, 2023, she appointed her nephew, Akash Anand, as her successor.

Political Disputes:

Mayawati’s political career has been marked by both praise and controversy. While she has been lauded for her fundraising efforts and high-profile media events, critics have accused her of corruption, citing the increase in her and her party’s wealth.

Taj Corridor Case:
In 2002, issues arose with the Taj Heritage Corridor project in Agra, leading to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raid on Mayawati’s properties. Allegations of financial irregularities and disproportionate assets were investigated, but the case was ultimately dismissed in 2007 due to insufficient evidence, and the Supreme Court refused to reopen it.

Disproportionate Assets Case:
Mayawati faced accusations of owning assets beyond her known income sources. However, by August 2011, the Delhi High Court dismissed the central government’s appeal against her, affirming that she had disclosed all donor information. The Supreme Court quashed the case in July 2012, deeming it unwarranted, and the CBI closed the investigation in October 2013.

Bahujan Monuments:
During her terms, Mayawati commissioned numerous monuments and parks dedicated to Dalit and OBC icons, including the Ambedkar Memorial Park and Manyavar Kanshiram Smarak Sthal. These projects, costing between 2,500 and 6,000 crore (US$500 million to US$1.3 billion), faced criticism for excessive costs and perceived self-promotion. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India reported 66 crore in excess expenses. Despite Supreme Court restrictions, she inaugurated the Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal in 2011. The statues, including those of Mayawati, faced vandalism and controversy, with accusations of wasteful spending.

World Bank Criticism:
Mayawati’s government faced criticism from the World Bank for mismanaging development projects. The World Bank reported frequent changes in project management and delays, leading to allegations of corruption. Mayawati initially denied the issues but later took steps to address them, including reducing transfers and cutting government spending on non-essential items. Despite these actions, criticism from the World Bank continued.