BSP chief Mayawati on Monday urged Dalit leaders to break with the Congress and other “casteist parties” and take Dr. BR Ambedkar’s path ahead of the Haryana assembly elections.
The comments coincide with the alliance of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) making an effort to portray itself as a pro-Dalit alternative in Haryana.
In a series of posts on X, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister accused the Congress and other “casteist parties” of using Dalit leaders only in times of trouble and later marginalizing them. She said in Hindi, “The political developments in the country so far have proven that the Congress and other casteist parties only remember Dalits during their bad days and appoint them as chief ministers or to other key organizational positions temporarily.” “But in their good days, these parties mostly sideline Dalits and replace them with casteist individuals, as is currently being witnessed in Haryana,” she added.
Mayawati also urged Dalit leaders to keep their distance with such parties and to take inspiration from Ambedkar. “These humiliated Dalit leaders should be inspired by their messiah, Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, and detach themselves from these parties. They should also work to keep their communities away from these parties,” she said.
Mayawati cited her resignation from the Rajya Sabha in 2017 due to violence against Dalits in Saharanpur, drawing a comparison with Ambedkar’s resignation from the central government. “Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar left his position as Union Law Minister in order to uphold the dignity and self-respect of the marginalized communities. Inspired by him, I also resigned from the Rajya Sabha when I wasn’t allowed to speak on the atrocities against Dalits in Saharanpur. Hence, I advise Dalits to follow in his footsteps,” she said.
Additionally, Mayawati charged that the Congress had “historically opposed” reservations for Dalits and other marginalized groups. She said, targeting Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, “The Congress and other casteist parties have always been against reservation. Rahul Gandhi even declared his intention to abolish reservations while traveling abroad. People should remain cautious of such anti-Constitution, anti-reservation, and anti-SC, ST, and OBC parties.”
The results of the October 5 elections for the 90-member Haryana Assembly will be announced on October 8.
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates