Lucknow, June 19: Amid a controversy of an alleged sting operation, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Friday dismissed it as part of a “well-planned conspiracy” to defame the party and its leadership ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

In a statement on X, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati said political opponents and a section of the media, unsettled by the BSP’s growing activity and support base ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections in the state, were running misleading and defamatory campaigns.

She asserted that the party’s candidate selection process is transparent and multi-layered. Party functionaries, she said, regularly interact with and screen prospective candidates, assessing their social standing, political background, organisational capability, loyalty and long-term commitment.

Urging cadres not to be swayed by rumours, Mayawati called upon party workers to remain focussed on preparations for the 2027 polls.

The BSP chief said the party represents the interests of the Bahujan Samaj as well as economically weaker sections among upper castes, and works in line with the ideals of Dr B.R. Ambedkar for constitutional rights and justice. She maintained that the BSP functions independently, without relying on big capitalists, drawing strength instead from the support of its members.

Mayawati alleged that such independence does not suit “narrow, casteist, communal and capitalist forces”, which, she said, often resort to attempts to malign the party, particularly as elections approach.

She further claimed that a section of the media was raising questions over the BSP’s candidate selection process to divert attention from electoral manoeuvres of other parties.

“All office-bearers, including Uttar Pradesh unit president Vishwanath Pal, are currently engaged in strengthening the organisation, expanding its support base across communities, and preparing a list of potential candidates with thorough screening,” she said.

Mayawati added that interactions with ticket aspirants involve detailed questioning, similar to cross-examination in a court, to evaluate their suitability — a process that should not be misrepresented at face value.

Appealing to both the media and party workers, she urged them not to fall prey to “sponsored conspiracies” by rival parties, and instead remain focussed on the BSP’s ‘Mission 2027’.

Jaipur, June 19: Acting under a ‘zero tolerance’ policy and following directions from the Union Home Ministry, a joint team of the district administration, police, and Border Security Force (BSF) launched a major operation against alleged illegal constructions within 15 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan’s Barmer district.

The action was carried out in border villages falling under the Gadra Road and Chauhatan subdivisions in Barmer district.

Authorities had earlier surveyed the structures and issued notices directing occupants to remove the alleged illegal constructions by June 18.

However, after the deadline passed without compliance, the district administration, police, and BSF initiated a joint demolition and removal drive on Thursday. The operation covered villages including Hamirani, Malana, Kerkori, Chauhatan, Bhalgaon, and Demba, where officials inspected and verified the legality of permanent structures. According to the administration, the exercise forms part of an intensified border security initiative aimed at identifying and removing unauthorised constructions in sensitive areas near the international border.

Officials said the action was undertaken in accordance with security directives and legal procedures, with prior notices served to affected parties. The administration maintains that the drive is focused on ensuring compliance with regulations in strategically important border zones.

However, the operation has sparked resentment among sections of the local community, with residents and public representatives questioning both the timing and manner of the action. Members of the affected community have termed the demolitions unfair and alleged that adequate consultation was not carried out before the drive was launched.

The issue has also triggered a political controversy. Ahead of the action, Congress in-charge and Baytu MLA Harish Chaudhary and Barmer-Jaisalmer MP Ummedaram Beniwal held a press conference opposing the move. They alleged that the operation was being carried out for political gain and warned against turning the sensitive border region into a political battleground.

“The border area should not become part of a political agenda. Such actions risk damaging the centuries-old social harmony and brotherhood that exists in the Thar region,” the leaders said.

Congress representatives also met the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and formally objected to the drive. They argued that undertaking such a large-scale operation without meaningful dialogue with local residents and elected representatives was inappropriate.

It needs to be mentioned here that a comprehensive security blueprint has been devised and implemented following directives from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to completely dismantle cross-border networks involved in infiltration, drug smuggling, and other illegal activities aided by modern drone technology.

Under this plan, four Rajasthan border districts, namely, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Sri Ganganagar, have been designated as ‘Special Watch Zones’.

The Border Security Force (BSF), district administration, local police, and central and state intelligence agencies will now function under a unified command structure.

The initiative aims to establish complete transparency, enhanced surveillance, and stringent security oversight of all activities within a 50-kilometre radius of the India-Pakistan border, ensuring swift detection and prevention of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

New Delhi, June 18: As six out of the party’s nine Lok Sabha MPs are on the verge of defecting to Deputy Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the Shiv Sena-UBT leadership has moved into high alert.

The Shiv Sena-UBT has initiated a strict legal strategy to corner the rebel MPs and seek their disqualification.

The political tremor became evident during a crucial Parliamentary Party meeting convened by the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction in Delhi on Thursday.

Despite a strict party whip, only three Lok Sabha MPs attended, virtually confirming a vertical split in the Parliamentary wing.

Addressing a press conference following the high-stakes meeting, Shiv Sena-UBT Rajya Sabha MP and Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut said those who were present at the meeting included Arvind Sawant (Mumbai South), Anil Desai (Mumbai South-Central) and Rajabhau Waje (Nashik).

However, six MPs skipped the meeting including Omraje Nimbalkar (Dharashiv), Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim), Nagesh Ashtikar (Hingoli), Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shirdi) and Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North-East).

Raut announced that the Shiv Sena-UBT has already initiated disciplinary and legal procedures to create a blockade for the defecting MPs.

“Only three of our Lok Sabha MPs attended the Parliamentary Party meeting today. We have issued official ‘Show-Cause Notices’ to all the absent lawmakers, giving them a strict timeline of seven days to submit their explanations,” he said.

Emphasising that the Shiv Sena-UBT will fight on all fronts, Raut added, “We will fight this battle on the streets, and we will fight it in the courts. Our ground preparation to ensure their disqualification has begun in full swing.”

The Shiv Sena-UBT leader laid down the legal roadmap that the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction intends to pursue over the coming weeks, shifting the spotlight onto the anti-defection framework.

“The party (Shiv Sena-UBT) will first exhaust all internal Constitutional and legislative processes within the Lower House of Parliament. If the Lok Sabha Speaker (Om Birla) acts in accordance with the rules, the law, and the strict guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court of India, these six MPs will inevitably face disqualification,” he asserted.

“If the legislative process fails to yield a fair resolution, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction is prepared to challenge the matter directly before the Supreme Court,” Raut said.

Political circles in Maharashtra are abuzz with speculation that the six rebel MPs might officially join Eknath Shinde’s faction around June 19, coinciding with the Shiv Sena’s Foundation Day.

The next seven days will be crucial as the political battle moves from internal party notices to a full-blown Constitutional showdown.