The 'gathbandhan' between 'bua' Maya and 'bhatija' Akhilesh was based on the shaky ground of mutual distrust and political desperation. It had to collapse, with Mayawati blaming Akhilesh.

SP-BSP break-up: Why Mayawati's fresh hostility against former 'bhatija' Akhilesh Yadav is no surprise

India

BSP supremo Mayawati has announced that her party will not fight the upcoming Assembly polls in UP with earlier partner SP. Here's why the once-famed gathbandhan is now looking set to collapse.

UP's Gathbandhan crumbles: 5 reasons why cracks have developed in the SP-BSP alliance

The SP and BSP cadres fought on the ground even as BJP went on wooing the OBC voters.

How the BJP won UP: The BJP defeated the formidable SP-BSP caste alliance in UP. Here's how

SP and BSP cadres often clashed on the ground even as BJP went on wooing the OBC voters with a new promise, and new delivery.

Area-Wise

What helped the BJP retain its hold on UP is the development work done by the government. What helped Smriti is her own time, labour and determination in Amethi.

Uttar Pradesh poll results 2019 live: Rahul Gandhi concedes defeat in Amethi. Smriti Irani emerges as the giant killer

The SP-BSP-RLD Mahagathbandhan in UP is giving the BJP a tough battle on each Lok Sabha seat. The cooperation between all three is also seamless. None of this is music to BJP's ears.

A Formidable Challenge: The Mahagathbandhan is proving to be the BJP's nemesis in UP

There is a fascinating history to the extraordinary political reunification of the SP-BSP in UP. The merger has alarmed the BJP. But its base continues to be uneasy.

II. UP's Gathbandhan Nama: Why and how SP-BSP created a 25-year-long divorce

Controversies

I. UP's Gathbandhan Nama: Why and how SP-BSP created a 25-year-long divorce

Here are the five X factors which will decide who gets to enjoy power in Delhi.

Why the Narendra Modi government is in pole position to get re-elected

When the Samajwadi Party was in ruins, the former chief minister ensured he used the ruins as the road to transformation – for himself and the party.

Kingmaker in the Wings: Five times Akhilesh Yadav has proved he is a consummate politician

When the Samajwadi Party was in ruins, the former chief minister ensured he used the ruins as the road to transformation – for himself and the party. Today, he holds a huge amount of bargaining power, regionally and at the national level.

Politics of memory can succeed — it can fail as well.

Too little time: Four big challenges Priyanka Gandhi faces now

The Congress should not become complacent thinking UP is in safe hands now. The challenges ahead are just too hard to be dismissed.