Mayawati

Mayawati, born on January 15, 1956, in New Delhi, is an Indian politician and the leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). She is one of the most prominent Dalit leaders in India, advocating for the rights and empowerment of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and religious minorities. Mayawati has served four terms as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, becoming the first Dalit woman to hold this office. Her leadership focused on social justice, economic development, and maintaining law and order, especially for the marginalized communities she represents.

Mayawati’s political journey began under the guidance of Kanshi Ram, the founder of the BSP, and she has since championed the cause of social equality, affirmative action, and land rights. Known for her strong and assertive political style, Mayawati has built a significant following among Dalits and other underprivileged groups. Her tenure has also been marked by controversies, including her focus on constructing monuments and statues of Dalit icons, including herself, which has drawn criticism from her opponents.

In February 2022, BOOM fact-checked a viral image predicting that the BSP would win 185 seats in the Uttar Pradesh elections.

BOOM found out that the graphic was from a 2016 ABP News opinion poll conducted in the lead-up to the 2017 Uttar Pradesh state elections, debunking the claim that it was a current prediction.