BJP: What has Maya done except build her statues?

New Delhi: In poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, where political pundits are predicting Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party will make a comeback, the BJP is making a systematic effort to create a dent in the BSP’s support base and project itself as the protector of dalit interests while highlighting the BSP supremo’s “flaws”. While upper castes are the BJP’s core votebank, dalits are numerically a strong votebank in UP.

The BJP’s strategy to woo dalits includes dalit outreach events and associating with dalit identity. The Narendra Modi government’s initiatives to commemorate dalit icon B.R. Ambedkar’s legacy are part of this strategy.

The ongoing “Dhamma Chetna Yatra” by Buddhist monks, in which they talk about Buddhism, Ambedkar and the government’s initiatives for the community, is also part of this strategy.

Dalits or Scheduled Castes comprise around 21 per cent of the total population in UP, where Assembly elections are due early next year. But on a larger scale, the BJP has actively tasked its dalit leaders in the state to reach out to dalit intellectuals and highlight the “flaws” of the BSP and the style of functioning of its supremo, Mayawati.

These sessions are being held till the district level and the party feels that its electoral prospects could increase if its “good work” for the community is promoted by the community members themselves.