UP polls: How parties are vying for Dalit votes amid Mayawati’s shrinking base
A notable evolution in Dalit politics is unfolding in Uttar Pradesh, marked by a decline in the Bahujan Samaj Party's dominance. The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Samajwadi Party are actively courting Dalit voters ahead of elections, and the Congress party is also working to regain its historic connections. Meanwhile, Chandrashekhar Azad is establishing a distinct political identity,…
Uttar Pradesh's political landscape is witnessing intense competition for Dalit votes as Mayawati's influence wanes. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), once synonymous with Dalit support, is now a much weaker force. Mayawati, who led the party for four terms as Chief Minister, has struggled to mobilize Dalit voters in recent elections. Consequently, other parties are vying for a share of the growing Dalit electorate ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is employing name-change strategies, such as renaming Bhadohi district as Sant Ravidas Nagar, to appeal to Dalits. This tactic capitalizes on the party's historical association with Dalit icon Sant Ravi Das. Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party (SP) is emphasizing its commitment to Dalit welfare by announcing 14 additional seats for the community, cementing its political identity under Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak (PDA) politics.
The Congress party is also seeking to regain its lost support among Dalits. Meanwhile, Chandrashekhar Azad is consolidating his own Dalit base as a potential rival to Mayawati's fading influence.
As the political landscape shifts, the question remains: where will Mayawati's core support base go, and which rival party will benefit most from the weakening of the BSP's grip on Dalit voters?
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
