Politicians eye Dalit vote
HT Correspondent , Hindustan Times
Mumbai, December 06, 2010First Published: 01:07 IST(6/12/2010)
Politics is all about hitting at the right time. Many political
parties in the state have geared up to woo the Dalit community by
becoming a part of the 54th death anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar
on Monday at Shivaji Park. Usually, all political parties show respect
to Babasaheb on his death anniversary, also known as Mahaparinirvan
Din, but the presence of non-Dalit politicians is likely to be more
this year in view of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
elections.
The entire cabinet, including chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and
deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, are likely to make a journey from
Nagpur to pay homage to the Dalit leader.
Other political parties are also planning to make their presence felt
amongst the five lakh Dalit devotees who throng Shivaji Park. The
opposition parties have also prepared themselves to reach out to the
community by deploying their members at the ground to assist the
visitors.
"Our cadres will be at the ground to help the people. We will also set
up food stalls for the visitors," BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari
said.
Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has set up kiosks to sell
literature on Dr Ambedkar, and also medical check-up camps for people
coming to Chaityabhoomi on Monday. "Our cadres will be manning these
stalls. This occasion gives us a good chance to serve the people," MNS
leader Sandeep Deshpande said.
The Shiv Sena too has arranged for food for the visitors.
The 12 factions of the Republican Party of India, set up by Babasaheb,
will also display their strength at the ground. Several Dalit leaders,
including, Prakash Ambedkar, Ramdas Athavale, Jogendra Kawade, Namdeo
Dhasal, Surekha Kumbhare, Rajendra Gavai, and T M Kamble, will be
present there.
Incidentally, the strength of Dalit parties has been waning, as the
RPI failed to win any seat in the assembly elections.
Political analyst Surendra Jondhale said: "It is a telling statement
on Dr Ambedkar's contribution to the Dalit community that even 54
years after his death, lakhs of people converge to pay tribute to him.
At the same time, it also shows that Dalits have not been able to find
a leader of his stature."
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