BRS-Congress spar over alleged insult to Telangana Dalit Speaker; 2 MLCs arrested
Two BRS MLCs were arrested over alleged remarks against Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, triggering protests and demands for an apology from KCR. KTR and other party leaders were detained as the BRS accused the Congress government of suppressing the Opposition. A full-blown political war erupted in Telangana on Tuesday after police arrested two BRS MLCs over allegedly derogatory remarks against Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar. The Congress called the remarks an insult to Kumar, a Dalit leader, and demanded an apology from BRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao. Congress workers and Dalit activists also marched towards KCR’s farmhouse. The BRS accused the ruling party of using the controversy to cover up its failures and renewed its allegations of police high-handedness against its women legislators. WHAT TRIGGERED THE ROW The controversy began on Monday after the Speaker’s Officer on Special Duty accused BRS MLCs Thatha Madhusudan and N Naveen Kumar Reddy of making derogatory remarks against him. The complaint alleged that the two MLCs launched a “malicious, unprovoked and premeditated verbal tirade” targeting the Speaker’s integrity, authority and constitutional conduct. However, Madhusudan denied making any derogatory remarks and expressed regret if they had hurt the Speaker. The government also accused BRS leaders of attacking officials and removing their shirts in the presence of women officials. The BRS countered by alleging that former ministers Sabitha Indra Reddy and Sunitha Lakshma Reddy were surrounded, dragged and manhandled by the police. TWO BRS MLC ARRESTED A case was registered against Madhusudan and Reddy at the Saifabad police station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Both MLCs were arrested on Tuesday. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy described the alleged remarks as an insult to Telangana’s four crore people. Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka later met the Speaker and assured him that action would be taken against those responsible. ASSEMBLY SEEKS KCR APOLOGY The Telangana Assembly adopted a resolution condemning the alleged remarks and called on KCR to take responsibility for his party members’ conduct and tender an unconditional apology. The resolution also condemned the two MLCs for allegedly removing their T-shirts in public in the presence of women. The House decided to forward the resolution to the Legislative Council chairman for appropriate action against the two MLCs. PROTEST REACHES KCR’S FARMHOUSE The row then spilled out of the Assembly as Congress workers and Dalit activists marched towards KCR’s farmhouse at Erravelli, accusing the BRS of insulting Dalits. However, police stopped the protesters before they could reach the farmhouse. KTR and other BRS leaders left the Assembly for Erravelli but were stopped and taken into preventive custody over possible law and order concerns. He alleged that police were allowing Congress workers to approach the farmhouse while preventing BRS leaders from reaching it. He also accused the ruling party of trying to attack KCR. BRS HITS BACK AT CONGRESS The BRS Working President accused the government of using the Speaker as a shield to divert attention from its failures and silence the Opposition through arrests and police cases. He demanded an apology from the government over the alleged mistreatment of the two women BRS MLAs. The former minister also targeted the Congress over its alleged failure to fulfil election promises related to jobs, farm support, unemployment assistance and welfare benefits. Abdul Basheer Courtesy : India Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit man’s suicide: Punjab LoP says he named minister Harpal Cheema
LoP Partap Singh Bajwa slammed the Bhagwant Mann govt over the suicide of Gulzar Singh, a Dalit man from Sangrur. Bajwa alleged that Gulzar, before his death, named minister Harpal Singh Cheema as being “directly responsible” for his actions. Opposition Slams Mann Govt Over Dalit Man’s Suicide Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Tuesday criticised the Bhagwant Mann-led government over the alleged death by suicide of Gulzar Singh in Sangrur, who belonged to the Dalit community. Bajwa said that Gulzar Singh himself had accused Punjab minister Harpal Singh Cheema of being “directly responsible” and had also named the village sarpanch and a few others for his suicide. “…He said that Harpal Singh Cheema is directly responsible for this. He also named the village sarpanch and a few other people,” Bajwa stated. “He died late last night. An FIR has been registered on the statement of his son. An FIR has been registered against all those whose names were mentioned, against five people… The government was saying that they would work against drugs. Look at their face. They are not even allowing people to ask questions…” Background of the Incident This comes following the suicide of 46-year-old Gulzar Singh, a daily wage worker from Sangrur district who died after consuming poison shortly after publicly questioning Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about the illicit drug trade. The incident took place in Toor Banjara village during a constituency visit by Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. Gulzar Singh, whose son is reportedly struggling with severe drug addiction, had raised concerns with the minister about the easy availability of synthetic drugs, locally known as chitta, in the area. Following the interaction, Gulzar Singh allegedly faced harassment and pressure from local leaders and panchayat members to publicly apologise for questioning the minister. He later recorded a video naming some individuals allegedly involved, and subsequently passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ludhiana. In response to the video and the family’s statement, local police registered an FIR against five individuals under charges of abetment to suicide and relevant sections of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. Opposition leaders continue to demand strict accountability and an independent probe into the state’s drug enforcement policies and the treatment of citizens raising grievances. Congress Demands Govt Dismissal Earlier, Punjab Congress working president Raj Kumar Verka demanded the dismissal of the Bhagwant Mann government over the incident. Speaking to ANI, Verka said Gulzar Singh, a daily wager from Toor Banzara village, had died by suicide after raising questions about the drug menace in Punjab and blamed the state government for the situation. “Anyone who raises questions about the drug issue faces brutality and punishment. Just yesterday, a man in Sangrur died by suicide and blamed this very government,” Verka said. NCSC Seeks Report Meanwhile, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has sought a report from the Punjab authorities regarding the death of Sangrur resident Gulzar Singh and the serious allegations reportedly made by him in a video released on social media before his death. The Commission’s action follows a representation submitted by former MLA and Punjab BJP SC Morcha State President Sheetal Angural, who urged the NCSC to take appropriate action and ensure an impartial investigation into the allegations raised in the video. In his representation, Angural sought a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding Gulzar Singh’s death and the allegations made in the video before the incident. Taking cognisance of the matter, the NCSC has sought a detailed report from the concerned Punjab authorities. (ANI) (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianetnews Editorial staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Courtesy : Asianet News Note: This news is originally published on https:/asianetnews.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit groups warn of stir over DC Manna land delay
Mangaluru: The Dalit Sanghatanegala Samanvaya Samiti has warned of intensified protests if the state government fails to allot DC Manna land to eligible beneficiaries within a month. Addressing mediapersons, Samiti general convener Ramesh Kotian said that in 2017, the then Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner had proposed amendments to the 1969 Land Grant Rules and suggested introducing the Special Land Grant Rules, 2017. However, even after nine years, the government has not implemented the changes needed to address deficiencies in land allocation. Kotian said district in-charge minister U.T. Khader had assured that the issue would be discussed and necessary amendments made during the Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru. “The minister’s assurance should not remain a promise. It must be implemented,” he said. Convener Raghu K. Ekkar demanded that eligible rural families be allotted two acres of agricultural land and urban applicants receive 10 cents of land for house construction. He also urged the government to constitute a special task force to expedite the process. Stating that applications have been submitted from various taluks of Dakshina Kannada, Ekkar said thousands of applicants continue to face hardship due to delays in receiving land. The Samiti urged the government to identify available government land, prioritise allotting 50% of it to the Scheduled Caste community, and rectify all deficiencies related to DC Manna land at the Cabinet meeting. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit girl suicide: Family seeks protection, HM yet to be arrested
Madurai: Two weeks after a 16-year-old dalit student died by suicide following an admission dispute at a Usilampatti school, her family has alleged intimidation from members of kallar community and sought police protection. “I request justice, compensation and protection for our family,” girl’s mother P Thavamani, 40, said in a petition submitted to the Madurai collector. The girl, Nishanthi, had scored 412 out of 500 in Class X and hoped to pursue nursing. On Aug 24, she lowered her mother’s folded hands when they approached Govt Higher Secondary School near Usilampatti bus stand for admission. Headmaster Vimaladevi allegedly rebuked her and ordered her out. Nishanthi died by suicide the next day. Police initially registered an unnatural death case. TOI reported on Aug 28 that relatives accused police of refusing to invoke the SC/ST Act despite their complaint alleging caste discrimination. Police later altered the FIR to add Section 108 of BNS and Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Thavamani said the family had not received compensation and urged authorities to dismiss Vimaladevi, who has been suspended by the school education department. Her petition also sought an immediate arrest of Vimaladevi, a chargesheet within two months, an expedited trial and protection for her family members. Meanwhile, Vimaladevi moved the Madurai bench of Madras high court while apprehending arrest. On Sept 3, the court directed her to surrender before the third additional district judge (PCR), Madurai, by Sept 18 and apply for bail. A notice from Vimaladevi counsel said she would surrender on Sept 10 and asked Thavamani to raise objections before the court in person or through counsel. It said the bail plea would otherwise be decided on its merits in her absence. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Samajwadi Party ready to adapt to Gen Z, adopting blue along with green and red
The Samajwadi Party is introducing a new dress code for its student wing. The party has adopted blue along with its traditional iconic colors, green and red. Through this color, the SP aims to connect with the youth and Dalits. The Samajwadi Party is adopting blue as its symbol along with green and red. Parvez Iqbal Siddiqui, Lucknow: Red and green have been the official colors of the Samajwadi Party (SP) since its inception. The SP was founded on October 4, 1992. Since then, its symbols have remained red and green. However, the SP is now expanding its symbolism and is also adopting blue. Blue is a powerful symbol of Dalit resistance. Blue T-shirts and jeans for the student wing The Samajwadi Party’s student wing, called the Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha, is ready to adopt a completely new and modern look. It resonates better with Gen Z. It’s a dress code that includes a blue T-shirt and jeans, or a shirt and trousers of the same shade. Akhilesh and Shivpal in Blue Scarves This isn’t the first time blue has been included in the SP’s official colors. Recently, on August 31, during a meeting of the party’s district and city presidents across the state, senior party leaders, including SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and National General Secretary Shivpal Yadav, were seen wearing blue scarves with the party’s election symbol, the bicycle, printed in red. The blue scarves were different from the previous red and green scarves, which were replaced by a red-checked gamchha during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. When asked about the blue scarves, party officials deflected the question. Blue to woo Dalits SP officials claim that the color blue was adopted because it represents the vast open sky, under which everyone is equal and free from caste-based discrimination. It is a different matter that it was also the favorite color of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Blue has also been the color of Dalits. This community is now an important part of the Samajwadi Party’s PDA agenda. It is believed that the party leadership may formally announce the new dress code for the Chhatra Sabha at a special event to be held at the SP headquarters in Lucknow in the next few days. Choice of Color Popular with Youth According to sources, the SP leadership has decided to give the members of the party’s student wing a distinct identity from the rest of the party’s organizations. However, sources said that the red and green colors have been retained in the Chhatra Sabha’s logo, its basic elements, shape, and color scheme. Party strategists say that since the Chhatra Sabha comprises mostly Gen Z students, the party leadership decided to choose colors popular among the youth. Edited by: Suryakant Pathak About the Author Suryakant Pathak is a consultant at Navbharat Times (Digital). He has been associated with the digital wing of Navbharat Times, part of the Times of India Group, since June 2025. Suryakant Pathak serves on the Bihar desk at NBT Digital. Courtesy: Hindi News
Mother seeks arrest of headmistress after Dalit teen’s suicide in Madurai
Recalling the incident, Thavamani told mediapersons that both Nisanthi and she were asked to wait for more than 30 minutes before they went inside the room. MADURAI: The mother of a 16-year-old Scheduled Caste girl, who committed suicide on August 25, lodged a complaint with the Madurai district collector on Monday, demanding the arrest of a caste Hindu headmistress of a government school in Usilampatti. The petitioner, P Thavamani (40) of Ambedkar Nagar in Thottapanayakanur in Usilampatti, said her daughter P Nisanthi ended her life after the teaching head, Vimaladevi of Government Model Higher Secondary School in Usilampatti, had insulted them as she ordered them to leave the school premises after they had arrived seeking admission on August 24. Recalling the incident, Thavamani told mediapersons that both Nisanthi and she were asked to wait for more than 30 minutes before they went inside the room. HM Vimaladevi was not convinced about Nisanthi’s credentials even though a teacher at her previous school had provided positive comments. The HM was annoyed as Thavamani beseeched her with folded hands. She instantly tapped down Thavamani’s hands and angrily told the mother and her daughter to move away from the premises by stating admission would not be given. Thavamani claimed Vimala also passed casteist slurs. Nisanthi was inconsolable although we assured her that we would find a different school to pursue her dream of nursing but she ended her life. “The HM’s disparaging comments and conduct killed my daughter. I want justice for her death. The HM should be arrested, the chargesheet in the case must be filed within the stipulated period of two months and appropriate compensation should be issued for the family,” she said while crying. A case was earlier registered against Vimaladevi under BNSS 194 (unnatural death) on August 25 though BNS Section 108 (abetment of suicide) and Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Act were later invoked. (To overcome suicidal thoughts, contact Tamil Nadu health department’s helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.) Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
A man released on bail has now been arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act… Accused of raping a Dalit minor in Mathura
A man released on bail in Mathura has been accused of raping a Dalit minor. Police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) and the SC/ST Act and arrested him. In Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, a man released on bail has been arrested for raping a Dalit minor. According to the agency, an official statement stated that the accused, identified as Jai Kishan (25), a resident of Mora village, was apprehended by local police near the Bati Maghera crossing on September 5. Police sources stated that on September 3, the minor girl was working in the fields when Jai Kishan took her to a nearby secluded area and raped her. They stated that Kishan threatened the girl with dire consequences if she told anyone about the incident and fled. A case has been registered under several sections… Sources said that based on the complaint, a case has been registered against Kishan under sections 65(1) (rape) and 351(3) (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, as well as several sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The accused has been involved in several crimes before… According to police sources, the accused has a prior criminal record and was released from jail on bail about a year ago after serving a three-year sentence. They said that in 2022, Jai Kishan was involved in a fight with a man from his village, during which he allegedly gouged out the victim’s eyes with his fingers. Police said that after his arrest on September 5, the accused was produced in court. Further legal action is underway in the case. Edited by: Mohammad Saqib Majeed Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit sanitation worker tries to end life over alleged two-tumbler system
Madurai: A 37-year-old dalit sanitation worker of Kambur panchayat near Melur attempted suicide on Sunday, days after alleging that she was forced to use separate disposable cups at work and made to carry the panchayat secretary’s footwear by hand because of her caste. Sasikala, a resident of Kambur, had been working as a sanitation worker in the village for the past eight years. She had earlier petitioned Madurai district collector Nishant Krishna seeking action over the alleged caste discrimination and threats. Police sources said Sasikala was found vomiting outside her house around 11am on Sunday. A neighbour who noticed her condition rushed her to Melur Government Hospital, where doctors found that she had consumed pesticide. She was admitted for treatment and remains under critical care. Her husband T Prakash alleged that panchayat secretary Roopa, who belongs to the Kallar community, had subjected dalit sanitation workers to discriminatory treatment. “Dalit workers were not allowed to use the common metal tumblers for tea. They were asked to use separate disposable cups,” Prakash told TOI. He alleged that the practice continued despite workers objecting to it. He also accused the secretary of assigning work based on caste and making derogatory remarks. “On some occasions, my wife was made to carry Roopa’s slippers in her hand because she belongs to the dalit community,” he said. Prakash further alleged that Sasikala faced pressure after raising complaints over the functioning of the panchayat. “Associates of Roopa are frequently giving us death threats and asking my wife to withdraw the police complaint,” he said. In her representation to the collector, Sasikala said complaints had earlier been submitted to local authorities and police. She alleged that she and another worker who supported her were subsequently threatened and targeted. She sought an inquiry into the allegations and action against the panchayat secretary. A senior police officer said Kottampatti police registered a case on Friday, Sept 4, under Sections 296(b) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, dealing with obscene acts and criminal intimidation, respectively, along with relevant provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Melur DSP Sivakumar has taken up the investigation. (Assistance for those having suicidal thoughts is available on TN’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050) Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Akhilesh wears blue scarf instead of red:SP student wing members to switch to blue T-shirts and jeans; party targeting Dalits or Gen Z?
From Parliament in Delhi to election rallies in Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav has often been seen wearing a red scarf and red cap. Along with the kurta-pyjama, these have become something of a dress code for Samajwadi Party leaders, giving office-bearers a distinct identity much like the party flag and symbol. But at a meeting of district presidents held in Lucknow on August 31, 2026, Akhilesh was seen wearing a blue scarf around his neck. Six days later, a message reached workers of the Samajwadi Party’s student wing, Samajwadi Chhatrasabha, telling them they would now wear blue T-shirts and jeans. Until now, they had worn maroon shirts and white trousers. The SP organisation has also sent blue T-shirts to student leaders, bearing the Samajwadi Chhatrasabha logo. This is the wing that remains active among students in universities and colleges across Uttar Pradesh. Is the SP using these changes to woo Dalit voters or Gen Z ahead of the elections? Read the report… Understand the change in the SP’s dress code August 31- District presidents’ meeting A meeting of district presidents and metropolitan presidents from all 75 districts was held at the Samajwadi Party office in Lucknow. The agenda was election preparations. Everyone wore red scarves around their necks. When Akhilesh Yadav arrived on stage, Shivpal was with him. Neither was wearing the usual red scarf. Both were wearing blue scarves instead. It was an unspoken message to party office-bearers. However, when Akhilesh was asked about the blue scarf, he replied in a measured tone, “The weaver brothers made it for us. So that we look a little different.” He then laughed. September 6- Message reaches Chhatrasabha workers Samajwadi Chhatrasabha is the SP’s student wing. It too has a dress code, with members wearing maroon shirts and white trousers. This was changed on September 6. Student workers have now been sent blue T-shirts and jeans. The T-shirts feature the Chhatrasabha logo and a bicycle. However, the SP’s official launch of the new dress code is scheduled for September 8. What is Akhilesh trying to achieve with the colour blue? Akhilesh Yadav has been seen wearing blue scarves before, particularly on occasions such as BR Ambedkar’s birth anniversary or at rallies in Dalit-dominated areas. According to political analysts, the SP is pursuing two major objectives through the change: Dalit vote bank – Dalits account for 21.1% of Uttar Pradesh’s voters. Wearing a blue scarf is an attempt to send the message that the SP is now a direct claimant to the politics of Dalit rights. As the BSP’s political base in UP continues to weaken, the SP wants to take over that space completely. In political history, blue has long been a symbol of Ambedkarite ideology and Bahujan politics. Through this, the SP wants to give its PDA (backward classes, Dalits and minorities) slogan a visual identity, rather than leaving it confined to speeches. Gen Z and young voters – Samajwadi Chhatrasabha has units in 80 universities and more than 8,000 colleges across UP. Until now, its members were seen in maroon shirts and white trousers. The party believes blue jeans and T-shirts will make it easier to connect with students on university and college campuses. Message to Dalits through blue, will it help? Until 2022, a large section of Dalits, particularly non-Jatavs, along with non-Yadav OBC voters, remained a strong support base for the BJP. The trend changed in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The ‘Constitution is in danger’ narrative and Akhilesh Yadav’s PDA strategy led to a rapid shift of the BSP’s traditional Dalit vote, along with non-Jatav Dalit and OBC voters who had moved away from the BJP, towards the SP-Congress alliance. As a result, the BJP was reduced to 33 seats in UP, while the SP emerged as the largest party with 37 seats. Akhilesh is once again trying to build the same narrative just before the elections, in an effort to secure Dalit voters’ support in the Assembly polls. Blue is considered a symbol of equality and equal rights. It can also be seen as a symbol of the thinking of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Dr BR Ambedkar. This is a student organisation, so changes are being made to increase youth participation. We are not limited to UP; we are also doing good work in Delhi and Madhya Pradesh. This new dress code will apply to the entire Chhatrasabha organisation across the country. Since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BSP’s influence has become more deeply embedded in the SP. This was the period when the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party entered into an alliance for the Lok Sabha elections.The alliance broke up after the elections. After that, several prominent BSP leaders left the party and joined the SP. These included major Dalit faces such as Inderjit Saroj, RK Chaudhary and Tribhuvan Dutt. The SP then also began observing the birth and death anniversaries of Dalit icons, including Dr BR Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram.Before long, the backdrop at the Samajwadi Party office changed. Pictures of various Samajwadi leaders replaced the bicycle that had been on the backdrop. Along with green and red, blue was also added. Since then, Akhilesh Yadav has increasingly been seen wearing blue scarves on different occasions. Every colour has its own meaning. All Bahujan people identify with the colour blue. As for the dress code, changes happen in everything from time to time, and this is also being changed. It may be premature to link it to vote-bank politics. Our party works in line with what today’s youth and students think. Syed Yasir Raza | Lucknow Courtesy : Bhaskar English Note: This news is originally published on https:/bhaskarenglish.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
SP to field Dalit candidates on general seats as well! Efforts to strengthen PDA, Gen-G candidates to get opportunities
In view of the PDA’s success in the 2024 assembly elections, the Samajwadi Party is preparing to field Dalit candidates on general seats as well. Anand Tripathi, Lucknow: In view of the PDA’s success in the 2024 assembly elections, the Samajwadi Party is preparing to field Dalit candidates on general seats in addition to reserved seats. The party has indicated it will field Dalit candidates on approximately 14-15 general assembly seats in addition to the reserved seats. The party has instructed potential candidates to prepare for these seats. If this plan is implemented, the total number of Dalit and tribal candidates for the SP could reach around 100. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the SP also fielded Dalit candidates on two general Lok Sabha seats. Avdhesh Prasad won the Faizabad seat. In Meerut, the SP candidate lost in a close contest. Which seats are in focus? The SP may field Dalit candidates on general seats such as Sarojininagar in Lucknow, Unchahar in Rae Bareli, Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur, Agra North, Meerut Sadar, and Hardoi Sadar. Furthermore, there are several assembly seats in Purvanchal where the party is preparing to field Dalit candidates on general seats. Of the 403 seats in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, 84 are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and two for Scheduled Tribes (STs). The party is particularly focusing on areas where Dalit voters constitute 20 to 25% and are in a position to influence election results. Who will get the opportunity? The party is preparing to field Dalit candidates on general seats, which will include junior-level candidates. Young leaders associated with the Samajwadi Party Chhatra Sabha and Lohia Vahini may also be considered. Part of Strengthening the PDA Formula According to senior SP leaders, this strategy is part of further strengthening the party’s PDA (Backward, Dalit, and Minority) formula. The party believes that the PDA’s social mobilization paid off in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and preparations are underway to further expand this model in the assembly elections. The Dalit vote has long been the BSP’s mainstay in politics, but the BSP’s performance has consistently weakened in the last few elections. Consequently, the SP believes that a large segment of the Dalit community is looking for new political options. This is why the party is organizing PDA conferences across the state, with the Ambedkar Vahini actively participating. Edited by: Pawan Nautiyal About the Author Pawan Nautiyal works as a consultant writer for the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand sections of Navbharat Times. He has over 14 years of extensive journalistic experience in print, electronic, and digital media. Originally from Uttarakhand (Uttarkashi), Pawan has a deep understanding of the politics, socio-economic issues, crime and utility news of both the states. Courtesy: Hindi News