Dr Nutan Thakur, 7th November 2010 : A discussion was organized at Viram Khand, Gomti Nagar. The topic of discussion was “Matawati and Mulayam Singh: Socio-political relevance”. The purpose of the discussion was to discuss about the importance, contribution and role of the present CM Mayawati and the ex-CM Mulayam Singh Yadav. Among those present in the discussion were Dr Nutan Thakur social activist, Dr A K Pandey, Head of Department of Sociology in BHU , Amit Pandey of Lucknow University, media persons Amitesh Srivastav, Yogesh Tripathi Yogi, Sanjay Sharma, S P Singh and social thinkers S K Singh, Anupam Pandey etc.
Most of the speakers present there were unanimous in their opinion that these are the two politicians who have ruled the roost in Uttar Pradesh during the last two decades. Other than similarities like having slightly outdated names starting with M, having humble and rural background, being teachers before they joined politics, both have been involved in the politics of the so-called backward castes and low-castes, are the supremo of their respective political parties which are synonymous with their names and are known as Congress baiters. The speakers said that there are differences too. Mayawati is unmarried and single and her family does not have much to do with the politics of her party and with administration while Mulayam Singh has a big family whose members are spread greatly in the party and have their own spheres of influence. Mayawati had a rapid rise after 1993 while Mulayam’s political rise was slow and steady and she is generally perceived as autocrat and unapproachable while Mulayam is said to be closer to his men.
They all agreed that the fact remains that today in UP, politics and society are seen to be influenced hugely by both these stalwarts. They also have their shares of controversies which they have steadily and bravely refuted and denied, calling them being nothing more than political vendetta.
The background of this discussion was the books being written by Dr Nutan Thakur about these two politicians. The speakers felt that there is a great need for such books because there are not many books on these two political persons and whatever books are there, they are either autobiography (as in Mayawati’s case) or a sizeable section of them might be term as hagiographies (for both of them). The speakers said that the books shall be well researched, well documented and as value neutral, objective and factual as possible. They should try to understand these two political personalities separately for their impact and influence on the state of Uttar Pradesh and India, not only politically but also socially, economically, culturally and in all other aspects of life.