The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is intensifying its efforts to garner Dalit votes in preparation for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The party is employing a new strategy, leveraging the ideals and symbols of Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar to strengthen its hold within the Dalit community.
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh's political landscape has witnessed a significant shift following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP has commenced preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections, focusing its efforts on Dalit voters. To counter Akhilesh Yadav's PDA (backward, Dalit, minority) formula, the BJP has launched a planned series of social and cultural events centered around Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar.
Dalit Outreach on Yoga Day
The BJP's event at Ambedkar Park in Lucknow on June 21st, International Yoga Day, served as more than just a yoga session; it was a political statement. Approximately 5,000 people from the Dalit community were invited and provided with white t-shirts. Notably, these t-shirts featured an image of Babasaheb Ambedkar prominently, rather than any BJP leader.
Similarly, city-wide hoardings showcased Babasaheb Ambedkar's image instead of Modi or Yogi Adityanath. This shift clearly indicates the BJP's strategy: directly addressing Dalit identity and self-respect to regain the trust of a segment that distanced itself in 2024.
BJP's 2024 Losses
The 2024 Lok Sabha election results delivered a clear message to the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. The party lost 26 seats in the state, with its vote share plummeting from 49.98% to 41.37%. A significant contributing factor was the erosion of Dalit votes. Survey reports indicate that 56% of non-Jatav Dalits and 25% of Jatav Dalits voted for the INDIA bloc, compared to approximately 50% Dalit support for the BJP in 2019.
This decline, reflected in both seat count and internal party dynamics, is a cause for concern. Dalit voters constitute approximately 21% of Uttar Pradesh's population and can be a game-changer in any election.
The "Constitution Will Change" Slogan
BJP strategists believe that the opposition's narrative, "the Constitution will change," fueled fear, particularly among Dalits and marginalized communities, creating an anti-BJP sentiment. This fear swayed Dalit voters towards the opposition. Simultaneously, the weakening of Mayawati's BSP further pushed Dalit voters towards exploring new political options.
Consequently, the BJP is now in damage-control mode, implementing a new "social inclusion" strategy centered around Babasaheb Ambedkar. Over the past two months, the BJP has organized numerous Ambedkar-themed events in and around Lucknow, including an "Ambedkar Marathon," seminars, and local community meetings.
These events are spearheaded by Neeraj Singh, son of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and MLA from Lucknow. This initiative not only projects a younger leadership image, distinct from the party's established figures, but also highlights the BJP's prioritization of grassroots social engagement.
PDA vs. BJP: Who Will Represent Dalits?
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav achieved considerable success in 2024 with his PDA (backward, Dalit, minority) formula. He is now preparing to strengthen this formula for 2027. The BJP's Ambedkar card represents a strategic counter-offensive, acknowledging the importance of caste equations.
The BJP recognizes that Mayawati's BSP no longer commands the power to unite Dalits. Therefore, by establishing credibility on the ground through Babasaheb's ideals, constitutional values, and Dalit identity, the BJP aims to make inroads into the Dalit vote bank.
