LUCKNOW, March 16 -- With the 2027 assembly elections approaching, several political parties have begun invoking the legacy of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) founder Kanshi Ram.

After Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday demanding that the Bharat Ratna be conferred on Kanshi Ram posthumously, BSP chief Mayawati urged the Centre not to delay honouring the Dalit icon with the country's highest civilian award.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also called on the central government to confer the Bharat Ratna on Kanshi Ram.

Paying tribute to Kanshi Ram on his birth anniversary on Sunday, Mayawati said the Congress had failed to honour the architect of the Constitution, BR Ambedkar, with the Bharat Ratna...