Political activity has intensified in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formulating a special strategy to woo Dalit voters to retain power for the third term. Sources said BJP leaders have been advised to not speak against BSP chief Mayawati.
Following indications of a shift in Dalit votes in some areas in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the party has begun reworking social equations. According to a senior party official, the BJP’s strategy is focused on establishing a sustained dialogue with various sections of society by organizing extensive events on the birth and death anniversaries of Dalit icons.
The official stated that an annual calendar has been prepared for this purpose, which includes programs related to about one and a half dozen great men, including Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, Savitribai Phule, Sant Ravidas, Birsa Munda, and Ahilyabai Holkar. The aim is to further strengthen the party’s presence among the Dalit community through these events.
Speaking to UNI, BJP sources said, the party organization has been instructed to ensure that workers, down to the booth level, maintain regular contact with Dalit settlements. Emphasis is being placed on communicating with beneficiaries of government schemes, organizing small meetings at the local level, and increasing social participation.
The party believes only through social engineering and direct communication can a strong base be established in 2027.
There is talk in political circles that the BJP has adopted a strategy of refraining from directly attacking Mayawati, a prominent leader of Bahujan politics. It is believed that the party does not want to generate any sympathy wave among Dalit voters. While attacks on the Samajwadi Party and Congress will continue, public statements against Mayawati will be restrained.
Sources indicate that the BJP has conducted an introspection after failing to achieve its expected performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The party acknowledges that despite its strong performance in some reserved seats, it failed to garner the overall Dalit vote. Against this backdrop, efforts have now been initiated to further broaden its social base under Mission 2027.
Political analysts believe that political activity related to the Dalit community will intensify in the coming months. Consequently, the 2027 election battle appears to be centered around social dynamics.