By Pradeep Kapoor
LUCKNOW: NDA alliance partner Apna Dal (S) is playing an aggressive dalit card to join the race with other parties to woo scheduled castes and scheduled tribes to strengthen the support base of the party in Uttar Pradesh. Union Minister Anupriya Patel appointed a dalit leader RP Gautam as state president of Apna Dal to woo dalits voters during UP Assembly elections scheduled in 2027.
Apna Dal commands influence in kurmi backward community. It was founded by Dr Sonelal Patel who was considered to be very important kumi leader in state. He also had been an important leader in BSP at one time.
At one time as All India President of Kurmi Mahasabha, he had organised impressive rally in Lucknow which showcased his hold over the community. It would be worth mentioning here that kurmi community is second most powerful backward class after yadav community.
At a time when backward classes play very important role in mandal politics, the kurmi community becomes decisive in various districts in terms of voters. That is why union Minister Anupriya Patel is looking forward to important role in future politics in UP by winning over dalits.
The post of state president of Apna Dal (S) was lying vacant ever since Ram Kumar Pal resigned from the post and primary membership after levelling allegations against Asheesh Patel husband of Anupriya Patel and national president of the party. The new incumbent RP Gautam belongs to jatav community within dalits and is known for his organising skills and known face in party circle.
Besides bringing RP Gautam in the key position, Anupriya Patel has asked party leaders and workers to mobilise the public opinion in favour of party by claiming that old demand of caste census was accepted by the Modi government.
Union Minister Anupriya Patel herself is making efforts to move to different districts addressing party workers to take the benefits of various welfare schemes of central and state government. According to political analysts Anupriya Patel is looking forward to strengthen her party to better bargaining in seat adjustment during UP Assembly elections .
It would be worth mentioning here that Apna Dal (S) won 12 seats in 2022 assembly elections. During last Lok Sabha polls also Apna Dal (S) contested two seats winning only one seat in Mirjapur where Anupriya Patel got elected.
Now it is be seen how Union Minister Anupriya Patel is able to strengthen her party and win over dalits to increase bargaining power with BJP for next assembly polls. (IPA Service)
