As the matter quickly went viral on social media, BSP President Mayawati came forward to strongly refute the allegations, terming the entire episode a conspiracy hatched by the opposition and a section of the media.

Bhaskar Investigation: Key Revelations of the Sting Operation

The undercover reporter posed as a political aspirant seeking a ticket from the BKT (Bakshi Ka Talab) assembly constituency in Lucknow. During the negotiations with senior BSP leaders, the following details emerged:

• The ‘Meeting Fee’: BSP’s Lucknow District President Shailendra Gautam and UP State President Vishwanath Pal explicitly stated that an aspirant must bring ₹5 lakh in cash to meet ‘Behenji’ (Mayawati) as a candidate. This money is to be placed directly on her table in a blank envelope, with no receipts or accounts maintained for it.
• Ticket Rate: A sum of ₹3.35 crore was demanded for the BKT seat. The leaders revealed that the rate varies depending on the constituency.
• Mode of Transaction: The entire amount must be paid in cash. It can be deposited as a lump sum or in installments (e.g., ₹20 lakh, ₹50 lakh) within a timeframe of one to one-and-a-half months.
• Lure of a Ministerial Berth: State President Vishwanath Pal assured the undercover reporter a “100% guarantee” of becoming a minister if the party formed the government.
• Fee for a General Meeting: If someone does not want a ticket but simply wishes to meet Mayawati for her “blessings,” a separate fee of ₹2 lakh is allegedly charged.

Leaders Caught on Camera (As per the Report)

1. Shailendra Gautam (Lucknow District President): He explained the entire ticket purchasing process, stating that once the money is deposited, the candidate’s name is announced amid a crowd of 10,000 to 15,000 people. He made it clear that the party prioritizes a candidate’s financial capacity to deposit the funds over their political background.

2. Vishwanath Pal (UP State President): The State President finalized the deal in his private office. He pressured the reporter to arrange the cash quickly (within a month or so) as the elections are approaching. He even offered to make a phone call right then and there to schedule an immediate meeting with Mayawati.

Mayawati’s Counterattack: “It is Part of Candidate Screening”

Following the viral spread of the sting operation, BSP Supremo Mayawati took to social media (X/Twitter) to present her side, dismissing the report as entirely misleading. The key points of her statement are:

“The BSP is an honest, Ambedkarite party that runs on the physical, mental, and financial support of its own people, not on the backing of big capitalists or billionaires.”

• Opposition is Rattled: She stated that as elections approach, capitalist and casteist forces resort to various gimmicks to defame the BSP and its “Iron Lady” leadership.
• Tough Questions Misconstrued: Mayawati clarified that the State President (Vishwanath Pal) and other office-bearers were conducting solid screening of ticket seekers. To gauge a candidate’s social, political, and financial standing, as well as their loyalty and durability, the leaders ask tough, probing questions—much like a cross-examination in a courtroom. She argued that interpreting this grilling as “selling tickets” at face value is utterly wrong.
• Appeal to Workers: She urged her party members not to fall prey to these sponsored rumors and to remain fully dedicated to their preparations for Mission 2027 (the UP Assembly Elections).

BSP’s Current Political Equation

Founded on April 14, 1984, by Kanshi Ram, the BSP was once at the pinnacle of power in Uttar Pradesh, but its political graph has seen a decline in recent years.

• 2022 UP Assembly Elections: The party secured a 12.9% vote share but managed to win only 1 seat.
• Current Strategy: According to the report, anticipating early assembly elections, the party is strategizing to field Brahmin candidates on 40 to 50 seats.

Conclusion: This undercover investigation has reignited the debate over the commercialization of political tickets in UP. While the report visually depicts leaders demanding crores on camera, Mayawati is actively engaged in damage control, framing the captured conversations as merely a rigorous method to assess a candidate’s true capabilities.

The post ‘Cash for Ticket’ Sting in BSP: ₹5 Lakh to Meet Mayawati, ₹3.35 Crore for a Ticket; BSP Supremo Calls it an ‘Opposition Conspiracy’ appeared first on Mission Ki Awaaz.