LUCKNOW, Oct 27: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati on Tuesday expressed concern over the declining standards of political discourse in India, urging leaders across party lines to avoid personal attacks and concentrate on issues affecting ordinary citizens.
In a post on X in Hindi, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said political exchanges had increasingly become dominated by hostility, allegations, offensive language and caste-based remarks. She cautioned that the growing bitterness could damage the country’s reputation and weaken people’s confidence in the political system.
Mayawati said the deterioration in political communication had reached an alarming stage, with disagreements increasingly turning into personal confrontations and, at times, rhetoric that could encourage violence.
She stressed that political leaders, particularly those occupying senior positions, should demonstrate restraint and avoid statements that deepen divisions, even when relations between rival parties remain strained.
The BSP chief warned that promoting provocative and divisive politics for personal or political advantage could have serious consequences for democratic institutions. She said public confidence might further decline if leaders failed to demonstrate responsibility and address the concerns of disadvantaged sections of society.
Mayawati also highlighted growing public anxiety over corruption in government and questions surrounding electoral processes. She said confrontations driven by personal egos were adding to people’s difficulties at a time when the country needed constructive political engagement.
According to her, political parties should give priority to tackling poverty, unemployment and inflation rather than competing to make insulting remarks against their opponents.
She cautioned that the continuing exchange of objectionable statements could make the political environment more hostile and urged all parties to reflect on the consequences of their conduct.
Her remarks came amid heightened political tensions following Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s controversial comment about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late father at an event in Patna on Sunday. The statement triggered criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, who demanded an apology.
Mayawati did not name any political leader or directly refer to the controversy in her post. Her comments also come as political parties in Uttar Pradesh prepare for the 2027 Assembly elections, with exchanges between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party adding to the state’s political activity.
The BSP chief’s appeal underscored the need for political competition to remain focused on governance, public welfare and policy differences rather than personal hostility. She maintained that responsible communication was essential to preserving public trust and ensuring that the country’s pressing social and economic challenges received adequate attention.