Lucknow: Chief Minister Mayawati on March 9 blamed internal conflict between party leaders and wrong choice of candidate responsible for loss in Bhadohi assembly by-election. Addressing BSP national convention, she pulled up party leaders for their ego-tussle which caused the defeat. While the Chamars voted en bloc for the BSP, Pasis got confused because their jati was denied ticket.
Of total 3.6 lakh votes, Bhadohi has around 65,000 Dalits and around 45,000 Brahmins. Pasis are the majority Dalits. BSP was hoping to get Brahmin and Muslims votes but Brahmin turnout was low, resulting in defeat.
Brahmins start bossing: R. Jagannathan, a Brahmin editor of an English daily DNA, adds: The Bhadohi message is clear. Mayawati cannot hold on to her Dalit-Brahmins-Muslim alliance forever. At Bhadohi, BSP lost by 5,365 votes. BJP took away a big chunk (14,258) and the Congress lost deposit.
Mayawati’s biggest strategic move to expand her base beyond Dalits was to make a direct pitch to Brahmins.
With a significant 8 to 9% votes, Brahmins found that they were marginalised when the Congress and BJP declined. In Mayawati, they sniffed an opportunity.
But power is a strange thing. Once Brahmins rediscover their collective voting power, they may well use it anyway they want. They know that Mayawati needs them and hence it makes sense for them to show her they do matter.
Dalit radicalism: Besides, there is a tension between Dalit radicalism which hates upper castes and Mayawati’s compromise. She cannot ride both horses. Both Dalits and Brahmins are telling her: don’t take us for granted. No single party can hope to represent any group other than its own for long. Ultimately you will either alienate your base voter, or your a liance partner.
It is futile for Mayawati to want to represent Brahmins or Muslims even while retaining her core Dalit vote bank. BSP lost Bhadohi by 5,365 votes. But a local party called Pargatisheel Manav Samaj won 4,200 votes. Looks like more voters are getting organised
