Even though BSP is an insignificant political force in highly caste-ridden Bihar, it has long been struggling to make some foothold in the state. According to the 2022 Bihar Caste Survey, the Scheduled Caste (SC) population in Bihar is approximately 19.65% of the state’s total population. This translates to about two crore people, making Bihar home to the third-largest SC population in India, writes M Hasan
Lucknow, October 16: The BSP chief Mayawati and national coordinator Akash Anand will lead a 40-member team of party’s star campaigners in crucial Bihar assembly election. Mayawati today announced the names of these campaigners for the first phase of polling on November 6. The party, which has planned to contest all 243 assembly seats, had already released a list of 42 candidates.
Even though BSP is an insignificant political force in highly caste-ridden Bihar, it has long been struggling to make some foothold in the state. According to the 2022 Bihar Caste Survey, the Scheduled Caste (SC) population in Bihar is approximately 19.65% of the state’s total population. This translates to about two crore people, making Bihar home to the third-largest SC population in India.
In 2020 assembly election, the BSP had contested on 78 seats but could win just one seat Chainpur, on which Mohd Zaman Khan was declared victorious. But in 2021 lone BSP member Khan had switched over to ruling Janata Dal (U). while the BSP’s total vote share was 982250 (4.1 percent), its two candidates had ended runner up and 14 got third place in the contest. Since the BSP has decided to go it alone, it has chalked out plan to basically target Dalit-ST electorates and a section of backward communities. The possibility of Muslims supporting the BSP appears to be far-fetched as the community is largely attracted towards RJD-Congress led Mahagathbandhan.
Thus, apart from chalking out plan for galvanizing the organization in UP, Mayawati also finalized a roadmap for Bihar election at a senior party leaders conference in Lucknow today. Akash Anand could not attend the conference due his pre-occupation. Earlier last week also discussions were held with senior office-bearers on the selection of candidates and overall preparedness for the polls in Bihar. The party has decided to hold yatras and public meetings, under her direct supervision. Special responsibility for these initiatives has been given to national coordinator Akash Anand, Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Gautam and the party’s Bihar unit. “The state has been divided into three zones, with senior leaders assigned separate charge of each,” she added.
Referring to UP organizational gearing up the BSP chief directed party functionaries to rectify shortcomings and work with full dedication to deliver better results in 2027 UP assembly election. Expressing satisfaction over high turnout of cadre at October 9 rally of the party in Lucknow, Mayawati also asked the leaders to reach out to the people at the grassroots level to mobilise them for UP assembly poll and Panchayat elections due early next year.
Party officials have been instructed to rectify existing organizational shortcomings and dedicate themselves fully, in terms of effort, resources, and commitment, to ensure a strong performance in UP elections. Mayawati also referenced similar preparations already underway in Odisha and Telangana, where the party is replicating its Uttar Pradesh model, focusing on forming committees from district to polling booth level and expanding grassroots support.
(M Hasan is former Chief of Bureau Hindustan Times, Lucknow)
