Two recent political statements have made it clear that Dalit voters—who constitute around 21% of Uttar Pradesh’s population—could play a decisive role in the 2027 Assembly elections.
“Mayawati only used Dalits and later abandoned them. Even today, Dalits and weaker sections remain marginalized,” said Ajay Rai on April 2.
“We will celebrate Ambedkar Jayanti at the village level and discuss the threats facing the Constitution,” said Akhilesh Yadav on April 3.
These remarks indicate that both the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress are actively trying to consolidate Dalit voters ahead of the elections.
Congress revives Jagjivan Ram’s legacy
Jagjivan Ram, India’s first Dalit Deputy Prime Minister, played a crucial role in the 1971 India-Pakistan war that led to the creation of Bangladesh. As Agriculture Minister, he also contributed to the Green Revolution.
His rise to the top echelons of power sent a strong message that Dalits could play a decisive role in mainstream politics.
Although Jagjivan Ram hailed from Bihar, Congress used his legacy for decades to maintain a strong hold over Dalit voters in Uttar Pradesh. Read in this report…
Samajwadi Party cheif Akhilesh Yadav said on Friday in Lucknow that the constitution will be discussed in every village.
Samajwadi Party cheif Akhilesh Yadav said on Friday in Lucknow that the constitution will be discussed in every village.
Congress outreach through Meira Kumar
To reinforce this connection, Congress is organizing a seminar in Lucknow on the eve of Jagjivan Ram’s birth anniversary (April 4). The party has invited his daughter Meira Kumar and Dalit thinker and Delhi University professor Ratan Lal as key speakers.
Through this, Congress aims to send a message that Dalit interests are best protected under its leadership. Party workers have also been instructed to spend more time in Dalit localities and engage directly with their concerns.
Why Dalit votes matter
Senior journalist Ratan Mani Lal explains that Dalits constitute around 20–21% of UP’s population. There are 84 Assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, and nearly 120 constituencies where Dalit voters exceed one lakh.
Since Mayawati weakened after 2012, there has been no single dominant Dalit leader to unify the community.
In 2014, a significant section of Dalit voters supported Narendra Modi, contributing to the BJP’s sweeping victories. However, voting trends suggest that such support typically lasts about a decade before voters begin exploring alternatives.
Dalit vote shifts and Political competition
After a BSP rally on October 9, 2025, there were indications that Dalit voters were returning to Mayawati. This prompted SP and Congress to intensify efforts to prevent a consolidation of Dalit votes in BSP’s favor.
Their strategy showed partial success in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the alliance secured around 43% of the vote in UP, with significant support from Dalit voters. They now aim to replicate this in the 2027 Assembly polls.
Election data reflects changing trends
In the 2022 Assembly elections, Congress contested 399 seats independently but won only two, with a vote share of 2.33%.
However, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the party won six seats and increased its vote share to 9.46%. The Samajwadi Party also saw a 2% increase in vote share compared to 2022.
Percentage of Major Dalit Sub-Castes
Sub-Caste | % in Dalit Population | % in Total UP Population (Approx.) | Area of Influence |
Jatav/Chamar | 54.2% | 11.3% | Strong in Western and Eastern UP |
Pasi | 15.8% | 3.2% | Influence in Awadh and Purvanchal |
Dhobi | 5.9% | 1.2% | Central and Eastern UP |
Kori | 5.5% | 1.1% | Bundelkhand and Awadh |
Valmiki | 3.2% | 0.7% | More in urban areas |
Khatik | 2.2% | 0.5% | Small but active |
Search for a new Dalit leadership
Senior journalist Sharat Pradhan notes that Dalits once saw Jagjivan Ram’s image reflected in Mayawati. However, as her influence declined post-2012, dissatisfaction grew among Dalit voters.
This has led to the emergence of new leaders like Chandrashekhar Azad.
Congress, traditionally seen as the “old home” of Dalits, regained some traction in 2024, aided by Rahul Gandhi’s campaign centered on the narrative that the Constitution is under threat. This messaging also benefited SP, helping consolidate Dalit support for the opposition alliance.
Dalit sub-castes and Voting patterns
Dalits make up about 20.7% of UP’s population (around 41.4 million people) and are divided into 66 sub-castes.
Six major sub-castes account for 87% of the Dalit population The remaining 60 sub-castes are smaller and fragmented
Among them, the Jatav community is the most influential and forms the core vote base of BSP.
Non-Jatav Dalits—including Pasi, Kori, Dhobi, Khatik, and Balmiki communities—are more divided. The BJP successfully consolidated these groups between 2017 and 2024.
However, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a section of non-Jatav voters shifted towards the opposition alliance, contributing to its strong performance with 43 seats.
Santosh Singh, Uttar Pradesh
Courtesy : Bhaskar English
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