Maya performs well in reserved constituencies

Mayawati’s social engineering pays well in 89 constituencies in which BSP has done exceedingly, reports M Hasan.

Mayawati’s social engineering has paid well in 89 reserved constituencies in which the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has done exceedingly.

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She has finally demonstrated her grip over these constituencies.

The BSP had fielded 93 Dalits, including four from general category. But none of the four could win.

For the first time upper castes, which in the past two elections 1996, 2002 either favoured BJP or SP, went whole hog with BSP.

Winning 62 seats, Mayawati has left BJP, SP and Congress far behind in these segments. While SP ended runner up with 13 seats, BJP could win only seven seats and Congress finished third with five seats.

The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and Rashtriya Swabhiman Party (RPS) of RK Chaudhry got one each.

In 2002, BSP had won 24 against SP’s 35 seats. The BJP got 18. However in 1996 the BJP had performed well by winning 36 followed by BSP 20 and SP 18.

“In fact the victory of candidates in reserved constituencies depended on the support of the upper castes”, said VM Saraswat a social worker.

“While Dalit votes were divided, the consolidation of upper castes in favour of any candidate helped him steer through in the election”, observed leader of teachers group in Vidhan Parishad Om Prakash Sharma.

Mayawati in a strategic move to widen her constituency launched hectic drive to win over Brahmins. The party general secretary SC Mishra was deployed to nurse Brahmin constituency during the last one year. She had fielded 86 Brahmins.

Similarly on the Muslim front the BSP has also performed well. The party, which had fielded 61 Muslims succeeded in ensuring victory on 24 seats.

The SP, which always claimed to be custodian of Muslim votes ended runner up with 21 seats. “Muslims have broken myth of only SP follower”, said Maulana Misam Jarwali.

“In their tactical move to defeat the BJP, the community equally supported Mayawati”, said the Maulana.

Mayawati told newsmen on Friday “the opponents had spread rumour that Muslims would not support the BSP but the results have given ample indication about the community’s full support”. The BSP general secretary Nasimuddin Siddique has emerged as prominent Muslim face of the BSP.

E-mail author: mhasan@hindustantimes.com