Om Prakash Rajbhar

Born in 1962 into a backward caste family in Varanasi, Rajbhar's initial foray into politics came through the influence of Dalit leader Kanshi Ram. He joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the 1980s, rising through the ranks to become the district president in Varanasi. However, in 2002, he broke away to form his own party, the SBSP, aiming to represent the interests of the marginalized Rajbhar community.

The SBSP initially aligned with the Samajwadi Party (SP) but switched sides to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. As part of the alliance, Rajbhar won the Zahoorabad constituency and became a minister in the Yogi Adityanath government. However, differences over caste-related issues led to a bitter fallout in 2019, forcing him to contest the Lok Sabha elections independently with limited success.

Rajbhar is known for his unpredictable political maneuvers. In the 2022 Assembly elections, he formed an alliance with the SP, despite their ideological differences. He emerged victorious from Zahoorabad, highlighting his strong grip on his constituency. His political narrative revolves around advocating for the welfare of backward castes, particularly the Rajbhar community, demanding reservation and social justice.

Rajbhar's strengths lie in his ability to connect with rural voters, particularly in eastern Uttar Pradesh where the Rajbhar community holds influence. His outspoken nature and direct approach resonate with certain sections of the electorate. However, his volatile relationships with other parties and his tendency to shift alliances are seen as weaknesses. Furthermore, his party's limited reach beyond his community raises questions about its long-term sustainability.