2 days ago
Uttar Pradesh Parties Court Brahmin Voters Ahead of Assembly Polls
Political parties in Uttar Pradesh are trying to win Brahmin voters before next year’s Assembly elections.
Brahmins are estimated to make up 8 to 10 percent of the state’s population.
Opposition parties say many Brahmins are unhappy with Yogi Adityanath’s government.
Akhilesh Yadav has changed the meaning of his PDA slogan to include Pandits, another name for Brahmins.
He also highlights the 2020 police killing of gangster Vikas Dubey.
Mayawati wants Brahmins to join her party’s Dalit supporters.
Asaduddin Owaisi says his party will respect Brahmins and may nominate Brahmin candidates.
The BJP rejects the Samajwadi Party’s appeal and is using its ally, the Rashtriya Lok Dal, to approach Brahmin voters.
Opposition parties are seeking Brahmin support before next year’s Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Akhilesh Yadav has reframed “PDA” to include Pandits and criticized the killing of Vikas Dubey.
Mayawati is urging Brahmins to join a BSP-Dalit alliance modeled on the party’s 2007 strategy.
Asaduddin Owaisi says the BJP targets Muslims and Brahmins and may field Brahmin candidates.
The BJP has criticized the Samajwadi Party, while ally Rashtriya Lok Dal is making overtures to Brahmins.
- Who
- The Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, Bharatiya Janata Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal are involved in the outreach; Brahmin voters are the targeted community.
- What
- Opposition parties are competing to attract Brahmin voters traditionally associated with the BJP.
- Where
- Uttar Pradesh, with Asaduddin Owaisi’s recent remarks reported from Delhi.
- When
- Ahead of next year’s Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections; the article also refers to developments over the past two months and the July 2020 killing of Vikas Dubey.
- Why
- The parties are seeking electoral support from a community that opposition leaders say is dissatisfied with Yogi Adityanath’s rule.
Opposition parties’ outreach
BJP-aligned response
Why Brahmins may be dissatisfied
Opposition parties’ outreach
Opposition leaders argue that Brahmins feel sidelined under Yogi Adityanath, a Kshatriya, and cite the 2020 killing of Vikas Dubey and the deaths of his associates.
BJP-aligned response
The BJP rejects the opposition’s claims and says the Samajwadi Party did not give Brahmins due respect.
Electoral strategy
Opposition parties’ outreach
The Samajwadi Party, BSP and AIMIM are each presenting different appeals to attract Brahmin support, including alliances, recognition and candidate representation.
BJP-aligned response
The BJP appears to be relying on its ally, the Rashtriya Lok Dal, to make initial approaches and limit possible erosion of its Brahmin support.
Political credibility
Opposition parties’ outreach
Mayawati says the BSP is the only party that honours Brahmins, while opposition leaders accuse the BJP government of targeting Brahmins as well as Muslims.
BJP-aligned response
BJP leader Dinesh Sharma says Akhilesh Yadav’s appeal will fail and describes the Samajwadi Party as casteist and communal.
Key facts
- Target community
- Brahmins, estimated to comprise 8 to 10 percent of Uttar Pradesh’s population.
- Election
- The next Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.
- Samajwadi Party strategy
- Akhilesh Yadav has said “PD” in the party’s PDA slogan means Pandits.
- Key grievance cited
- Brahmin anger over the July 2020 police killing of Vikas Dubey and the subsequent deaths of several of his Brahmin associates.
- BSP strategy
- Mayawati is seeking a Brahmin-Dalit alliance similar to the BSP’s 2007 approach.
- AIMIM position
- Asaduddin Owaisi says Brahmins deserve respect and has indicated that Brahmin candidates may be fielded.
- BJP response
- BJP leader Dinesh Sharma accused the Samajwadi Party of running a casteist and communal party.
- Alliance outreach
- The BJP’s ally Rashtriya Lok Dal is reportedly making initial overtures to Brahmins.
Quotes
Asaduddin Owaisi
President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen
“The BSP is the only party that honours Brahmins. Our party’s general secretary, Satish Chandra Mishra, has been assigned to build Brahmin confidence in the BSP.”
telegraphindia.com
“The SP never gave due respect to the Brahmins. All the tricks of Akhilesh, who runs a casteist and communal party, will fail”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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