The anti BJP-coalition in the state of Uttar Pradesh consisting of the Mayawati led BSP and the Akhilesh Yadav led SP has found a new enemy for itself in the state in the form of Chandrashekhar, also known as Ravan. Initially, it appeared that the Bhim Sena. led by Chandrashekhar was an organised campaign to oust the BJP. However, now it has come to light that even the mainstream opposition does not share a very good rapport with him.
Soon after Chandrashekhar was released from detention, heated exchanges took place between Mayawati and the Bhim Sena chief. Chandrashekhar had told reporters that, “We (he and Mayawati) both have the same blood. She may have some issues with me, I have none with her. It is not in my values to speak ill of my ‘bua’ (aunt). Our only aim is to defeat the BJP.” However, Mayawati appeared visibly miffed at this and went on to deny the claims made by Chandrashekhar in unambiguous terms.
She said, “some people in order to realise their vested political interests, some in their defence, while some, in order to look young, are trying to forge different relationships such as brother-sister and bua-bhatija (aunt and nephew) with me,” in an apparent dig at the Bhim Sena chief. She did not stop here but further attacked Chandrashekhar for trying to forge the relationship of ‘bua’ with her. Coming down heavily at him, she also said, “For the past few days, a man who was recently released from jail is trying to call me ‘bua’. If these people were really interested in the welfare of Dalits, then instead of resurrecting their organisation, they would have joined the BSP”. She has, therefore effectively, snubbed Chandrashekhar who is slowly becoming a champion of Dalit rights.
The war of words between Mayawati and the Bhima sena has not taken place for nothing. Mayawati’s principal voter base consists of Dalits and in fact over the past few years she has been totally dependent on Dalit votes. It is not hidden from anyone how Mayawati has been badly done in by the BJP two times, first during the 2014 general elections and then during the 2017 assembly polls. Whatever little existence it still enjoys can be attributed to her Dalit voter base. If there is a transfer of Dalit votes in Uttar Pradesh, then Mayawati will easily be the first and the most badly affected victim. She understands that she is totally dependent on Dalit votes and the Bhim Sena chief is posing a challenge to her popularity among Dalits. If he were to succeed in taking away the Dalit votes belonging to the BSP, it will become deadweight and no one will even care for it. The BSP if it loses a major portion of its Dalit vote will simply be reduced to rubble and an additional burden on any coalition.
Bhim Sena chief, Chandrashekhar shot to prominence after Saharanpur violence. He has become a new Dalit icon and the same became evident after thousands of Dalits staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against the partisan behaviour of the police and atrocities by the upper castes. Even while remaining underground, the two leaders of the Bhim sena were able to mobilise thousands of Dalits. Age is on his side and he has a definite comparative advantage over Mayawati. While Mayawati has hit the rock bottom, Chandrashekhar’s career graph is currently rising and he is enjoying growing public support.
This could not have got any better for the BJP. While the Muslim vote is already divided into several factions, it seems that things are falling in place for the BJP in view of the ongoing division of Dalit votes. The BJP could not have asked for anything better at this stage.