Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati celebrated her 70th birthday on January 15, 2026. Born Kumari Mayawati Das on January 15, 1956, in Delhi, she emerged from a low-income Dalit family, specifically the Jatav subcaste. Before her foray into politics, she worked as a school teacher. Her political journey was significantly shaped by Kanshi Ram, the founder of the BSP, who became her mentor and eventually named her his successor, leading to her appointment as the national president of the party in 2003. Mayawati has held the prestigious position of Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh four times, making history as the first Dalit woman to become a Chief Minister in India. Her tenures as CM were in 1995, 1997, 2002-2003, and her longest full term from 2007 to 2012. Her political approach is notable for its 'social engineering' strategy, which involved mobilizing not only the Dalit community but also reaching out to upper castes, particularly Brahmins. Supporters affectionately refer to her as 'Behenji' (sister), and her birthdays are frequently celebrated as 'Jan Kalyankari Diwas' (People's Welfare Day). While her career has been praised for empowering Dalits, she has also faced controversies, including allegations of corruption related to projects and disproportionate assets, though many of these cases were eventually dismissed by courts. On her 70th birthday, Mayawati also made political statements, reiterating the BSP's decision to contest all upcoming elections, including the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, independently without alliances. This highlights her continued relevance in India's political landscape, especially in Uttar Pradesh, a state pivotal to national politics.