BSP targets Dalit strongholds as Akash set to resume UP poll campaign

Lucknow: BSP national convener and party national president Mayawati’s nephew, Akash Anand, will address public meetings in assembly constituencies in districts with a significant Scheduled Caste (SC) population. He will restart his campaign for the 2027 UP assembly elections from Bulandshahr district on Oct 28 and hold public meetings in Agra, Saharanpur, Kanpur Nagar and Ayodhya districts.

In the earlier phase of his campaign, which he launched in Aug, he had also covered assembly constituencies in west UP, including Sadabad in Hathras and Jewar in Gautam Buddh Nagar. The party has traditionally been comparatively stronger in west UP, given the significant presence of Dalit voters in the region.

Jatav, Khatik and Valmiki voters are present in considerable numbers in several assembly constituencies across western UP. According to the 2011 Census, around 19.8% of Bulandshahr district’s population belongs to SC communities.

Jatavs, the caste to which BSP chief Mayawati belongs, form the largest group among them. The Bulandshahr Lok Sabha seat is reserved for SCs, and the BSP won it in 2019.

Of the district’s seven assembly seats, Khurja is reserved for SCs and has more than 27% Dalit voters. Other assembly seats, including Anoopshahr, Dibai and Syana, also have a sizeable SC population.

Agra, another district on Akash’s campaign itinerary, has nine assembly seats, two of which—Agra Cantt and Agra Rural—are reserved for SCs. Other constituencies, including Etmadpur, Fatehabad, Agra North and Agra South, also have a considerable Dalit population.

The Agra Lok Sabha seat is reserved for SCs. Similarly, Saharanpur has over 22% Dalit voters.

The BSP won the Saharanpur Lok Sabha seat in 2019. Dalits form the BSP’s core voter base, with Jatavs among its most committed supporters.

However, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections saw the BSP lose a portion of its Jatav vote to the SP-Congress alliance. Mayawati has since emphasised that Dalit voters remain the party’s priority.

Akash’s campaign schedule indicates the party’s strategy to retain its hold on its core voters. Akash will also visit Kanpur Nagar and Ayodhya during his campaign.

Kanpur Nagar has two assembly seats, Bilhaur and Ghatampur, reserved for SCs, while Ayodhya has the reserved Milkipur seat. Bikapur in Ayodhya, where Akash will address a public meeting, has more than 20% Dalit voters.

You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Lucknow | Silver Rate in Lucknow | Bank Holidays in Lucknow | Public Holidays in Lucknow | Lucknow AQI | Weather in Lucknow | Petrol Price in Lucknow | Diesel Price in Lucknow | CNG Price in Lucknow | LPG Price in Lucknow Stay updated with the latest Lucknow news.