Political efforts to woo Dalit votes have intensified ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Over the next three weeks, the SP, BSP, and Azad Samaj Party will demonstrate their strength among Dalits. Chandrashekhar Azad will hold a rally in Lucknow on November 26th, while Mayawati will demonstrate her party’s strength through a mega rally on December 6th. The SP is seeking to increase its influence among Dalits through the expansion of the PDA.
The biggest political battle for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections is poised to unfold over Dalit votes. Previously, behind-the-scenes efforts to woo Dalits are now becoming public. Over the next three weeks, from Agra to Lucknow, the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, and Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) will stage shows of strength to increase their acceptance among Dalits. While the Samajwadi Party (SP) is seeking to further expand its influence among Dalits through the expansion of the PDA, Chandrashekhar Azad is attempting to establish himself as a new alternative for Dalit leadership, while Mayawati is grappling with the challenge of re-establishing her old social base. Congress is already struggling to regain its long-lost Dalit vote bank.
Mayawati’s mega rally on December 6th
December 6th is going to be a crucial day for BSP chief Mayawati. Every year, on Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s Mahaparinirvan Diwas, the BSP has been demonstrating its ideological and organizational presence among the Dalit community through a major political event. This time, Mayawati is preparing to demonstrate her strength through a major rally during the elections.
Chandrashekhar’s big rally on November 26th
After forming the Social Change Front with the AIMIM, Chandrashekhar Azad is eyeing the support of Dalits and other marginalized and backward classes. November 26th is Constitution Day, and Chandrashekhar is planning a major rally in Lucknow on that day. Through this, he will seek to demonstrate his political strength and strengthen his hold among Dalit youth and new voters. His activism could pose a political challenge to both the Samajwadi Party and the BSP.
Ajit Khare, New Delhi. Published by: Rakesh Kumar
Courtesy: Hindi News