A press conference held by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati to commemorate her 70th birthday was briefly disrupted on Thursday, January 15, 2026, when a short circuit caused smoke to fill the room. The incident took place at the BSP headquarters in Lucknow during the latter part of the press conference.

According to party officials, the short circuit was caused by a malfunctioning bulb. Smoke emanated from the bulb, causing a stir among attendees. Security personnel responded quickly, using fire extinguishers to manage the situation.

State BSP president Vishwanath Pal assured the public that there was no fire and that everyone, including Mayawati, was safe. Party leaders confirmed that there were no casualties. The incident was quickly resolved, and the commotion subsided.

Mayawati's 70th birthday was observed across Uttar Pradesh as 'Jan Kalyankari Diwas'. Despite the disruption, the event continued, and the press conference resumed its course.