Bhaichara committees — BSP’s latest card?

The BSP leadership does not want to leave the field free for a possible mobilisation of these communities by the Congress before the forthcoming Assembly elections in 2012,said sources.

After its poor performance in the last Lok Sabha polls,the party had dissolved all the Bhaichara (brotherhood) Committees in May last year. Such committees were set up to bring people of various castes under the BSP banner.  

“She (Mayawati) recently appointed her two leaders — Athar Khan and Javed Iqbal — as co-conveners (Sah-Sanyojak) of the Muslim Bhaichara,” said a highly-placed source with the BSP.

The two BSP leaders would extend their cooperation to PWD Minister Siddiqui,who heads the Muslim Bhaichara.

Before being associated with the Muslim Bhaichara,Athar,chairman of the Ganna Shodh Sansthan (Sugarcane Research Institute),handled the party affairs in the Lucknow zone. Having joined the BSP in 1984,Athar had earlier been selected to contest the last

Lok Sabha election as party nominee from Ambedkar Nagar seat before CM Mayawati dropped his name and fielded one Rakesh Pandey,who emerged victorious.

“Athar will now dedicate his entire time to providing a final shape to the Muslim Bhaichara Committees across the state,” the source added.

BSP leader Javed is also an old horse of the BSP. Party sources said the senior leadership has asked Athar and Javed to undertake survey work at the grassroots level and select potential Muslim workers who can work for the party.

“The party leadership has fixed a period of one year for completing the task of getting Muslims associated with the party. Both leaders would travel to different districts and identify people who can be made party cadres,” the source added.

BSP leaders refer to the dual purpose served by the step: it will not only enable the party to expand base among Muslim voters,but will also check the possibility of the complete shift of Muslim voters to the Congress.

“The idea behind the reconstitution of the Muslim Bhaichara is relevant for the BSP in the present political situation. BSP must emerge as an option for Muslim voters in the next Assembly elections. If it fails to work on Muslim votes,it would be like an open field for the Congress,” the source explained.

The CM has not given details of her plan,said the source,adding: “She is likely to hold a meeting with her party coordinators on February 5 to give directions regarding the reconstitution of the Muslim Bhaichara at the grassroots,” the source added.

BSP leader Athar,however,refused to comment on the party’s strategy.

“The entire exercise is in the primary stage. I won’t comment,” he said.