Dalit-Muslim Unity Move : New Front Formed

New Delhi: Scheduled Caste leaders cutting across party lines are trying to gather their folk under one umbrella organization called “Samata Andolan” in a bid to consolidate the SC/ST political power in the coming election. A meeting of over 250 leaders of SCs and STs took place here on Feb.3 under the presidentship of Ram Mohan, MP. Another prominent person at the meeting was Yogendra Makwana, former Congress-I Minister. Among the prominent SC/ST leaders who attended were Dada Roopwate, former Maharashtra Minister, L.R. Bali, editor, Bhim Patrika, and Prof Joginder Kawade, leader of the Dalit Panthers. The meeting formed an 11 – member steering committee under the convenorship of Makwana. The committee decided to explore the possibility of contacting other organization’s particularly of backward castes and minorities. They have not decided to form a separate political party. The Republication Party of India, founded by Dr. Ambedkar, is at present split into many groups. The organizers apparently are being cautious having obtained support beyond party lines. But the move seems to be in response to the consolidation of the backward classes which is supposed to benefit the Janata Dal. The issues to be agitated are being sorted out in consultation with BC/minority leaders. The backward vote was decisive during the recent district council elections in Kerala when the LDF consisting of the left parties, the Janata Dal and Congress-S made a clean sweep of 12 out of 14 districts. (Hindustan Times, Feb.5)