Q/ After the first two phases of polling, where does the BSP stand?
A/ The BSP has found support from all sections. We have the consolidated votes of dalits, the most backward classes, Gujjars and Jats. The BSP has always been respected by farmers. We increased sugarcane prices by ₹115 per quintal, this government increased it by just Rs35 per quintal (₹10 initially and then another ₹15 before the elections).
Under this government, farmers have been killed and the killers granted bail. The chief minister has made statements like “we will take the heat out of farmers”. All this has gone against the BJP. People are fed up with its divisive politics.
In the previous regime (of the Samajwadi Party), there were atrocities on many sections of society. The BSP stands for bringing all castes and communities together…. Even in our worst showing (in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls), we were in the second position in 30 seats. We are a very strong contender (in western Uttar Pradesh, where polling had taken place at the time of this interview). The results will be a big shock, especially to the media.
Q/ In addition to your traditional voter, which is the new voter you will attract this election?
A/ Our 22 per cent dalit vote is intact with us. Then there are the Brahmins— no one seems to be talking about them. The BJP has certainly given up on them. They tried to follow our pattern of the Prabuddh Varg Samvad, which we started from July 23 in Ayodhya, but they gave up after two or three meetings as Brahmins were not coming to them.
This story is from the March 06, 2022 edition of THE WEEK.
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This story is from the March 06, 2022 edition of THE WEEK.
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