[ZESTCaste] To counter Congress’ Dalit push in UP, SP woos MBCs

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/To-counter-Congress--Dalit-push-in-UP--SP-woos-MBCs/611087/

To counter Congress' Dalit push in UP, SP woos MBCs
Sanjay Singh
Posted online: Apr 26, 2010 at 1945 hrs

LucknowWith the Congress eyeing the BSP's Dalit vote bank in UP, the
Samajwadi Party is trying to strengthen its base among the state's
Most Backward Castes (MBCs) like Nishads, Binds, Mallahs, Manjhis,
Pals, Prajapatis and Gareris.

The SP has already demanded the inclusion of at least 16 such castes
in the SC category and is promising them a share in political power,
along with the OBCs. The party feels that people of these castes are
unhappy with the Mayawati's 'special focus' on Dalits and are thus
ripe for the picking.

And it is wasting no time. Meetings with local leaders of these castes
have begun. "The idea is to create enough awareness among these castes
about their importance in the state's politics. If united, they can be
a good weapon for the party to counter Dalits," said a source in the
SP.

The SP has already held separate conferences of different castes at
state level, said party spokesperson Rajendra Choudhari, confirming
that the party was trying to woo the MBCs. "We want them to join
mainstream politics. They need social justice in the current
situation," Choudhari said. The party held a conference of backward
castes in Kanpur on April 20 and a conference of the Saini group in
Saharanpur on April 6.

SP leaders who have been entrusted with the job of uniting these
castes under the party banner cite examples of the Mayawati
government's special focus on Dalits. "We tell them (MBCs) about how
many people from their castes have got jobs in UP in comparison with
Dalits. We prompt them to join the political race like Dalits," said a
source.

Behind the SP's desperation to win over MBCs is also the worry about
Congress resurgence in the state, sources said, though SP leaders
won't admit it. General secretary of the party's state unit Om Prakash
Singh said there was "nothing new in the party's efforts to ensure
social justice for these castes"

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