LUCKNOW A political firestorm has erupted in Uttar Pradesh following a controversial remark by a Samajwadi Party (SP) Dalit MP against Rajput king Rana Sanga. The fallout from this incident has reignited the focus on Dalit voters—a decisive bloc comprising 21% of the state’s electorate—setting the stage for a fierce political contest between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the SP.
The BJP, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has launched a 15-day “Ambedkar Samman Abhiyan”, tasking party workers with promoting welfare schemes aimed at Dalits. Meanwhile, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav unveiled a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Etawah and invoked the party’s legacy of uplifting marginalized voices, especially during the rise of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) founder Kanshi Ram.
BJP, SP Vie for Dalit Support Amid Rising TensionsThe situation intensified after SP’s Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Lal Suman labeled Rana Sanga a “traitor,” triggering outrage among Rajput communities. The Karni Sena, a caste-based outfit advocating Rajput pride, retaliated by vandalizing Suman’s residence in Agra on March 26. BJP leaders swiftly condemned the remarks, calling them divisive and disrespectful.
In response, Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of tacitly backing the attack and attempting to suppress the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) coalition—an electoral strategy targeting backward castes, Dalits, and minorities. The SP views this alliance as key to its 2024 Lok Sabha ambitions.
CM Yogi has countered this narrative, urging BJP cadres to engage directly with marginalized communities. “Until we present the truth to the people, opposition parties will continue to mislead and exploit the underprivileged, creating unrest across the country,” he warned during a recent address.
Constitution and Caste: A Strategic ShowdownAt a public seminar on the Indian Constitution, Akhilesh Yadav emphasized his party’s commitment to preserving the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar, describing him as a scholar, economist, and reformer whose experiences with discrimination were foundational to India’s constitutional values.
The SP’s Dalit outreach also gained momentum with the induction of Daddoo Prasad, a founding member of the BSP, into the party under Akhilesh’s leadership. Simultaneously, Uttar Pradesh Minister of State Yogendra Upadhyay led a padyatra (foot march) in Lucknow to highlight the BJP’s focus on Dalit empowerment.
With both BJP and SP doubling down on community engagement, the battle for Dalit votes could tilt the political scales in India’s most populous state ahead of the 2024 general elections.
