With the sight of the decade, Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, who had not been on good terms for more than two decades, were seen together in Uttar Pradesh's Mainpuri today.
The bitter enemies had come together to address a rally as part of the opposition's gathbandhan (alliance) in UP to take on the BJP in the national election.
It may be noted that Mulayam Singh is contesting the election from Mainpuri, which is a Samajwadi Party's stronghold and a safe seat so getting Mayawati to address a rally here is loaded with optics.
Both the parties have made an effort to showcase their friendship and to ensure smooth transfer of votes wherever the gathbandhan has fielded joint candidates.
In 1995, Mulayam Singh and Mayawati parted ways from their ruling coalition in UP after what is widely known as the "guest house incident". According to reports, Samajwadi Party workers attacked a state guest house where the BSP chief was camping with her supporters which led to Mayawati's decision to pull out and join hands with the BJP.
After Akhilesh Yadav, son of Mulayam Singh, took over as Samajwadi Chief, making an effort to start-over, he reached out to Mayawati. The pair is now popularly known as the bua-babua (aunt-nephew).
Last year, the two parties successfully collaborated to win by-polls in BJP strongholds like Kairana, Gorakhpur and Phulpur.
