BJP’s way to Dalit hearts is through common meals

Over the next few months, the party will also take out Vikas Yatras, three to four processions from every Assembly segment which will later converge at one place. Local problems will be taken up and later conveyed to the state Government for immediate redressal.

Though the main idea of the Vikas Abhhiyan is to highlight the Government’s development works since the change of guard in 2003, a special attempt will be made to woo Dalits and tribals. Irrespective of seniority or ranks, trained workers and others leaders will have to share food with lower castes, while trying to get across the party’s ideology.

Chief Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan himself eats with Dalits during his Jan Darshan programmes when he goes to districts to take feedback from villagers about his government’s schemes.

While the BJP has earlier too tried to target Dalits and tribals, it seems to be paying special attention following BSP chief Mayawati’s announcement that she would try to replicate her party’s success in Uttar Pradesh by forging a similar Dalit-Brahmin combination in other states, including Madhya Pradesh.

Right now the BSP has only a nominal presence in the state, though Madhya Pradesh accounts for a very high percentage of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes. The Gondwana Gantantra Party that has tried to woo this votebank hasn’t met with much success, winning only three seats last time. However, the party is believed to have been behind the BJP’s upset in the by-election to the Sidhi Lok Sabha seat.

The BJP first indicated that it was serious about expanding its base when on April 14 this year, the Chouhan Government celebrated Dalit icon Babasaheb Ambedkar’s birth anniversary on a grand scale at his birthplace at Mhow near Indore. For the first time, the Government made lodging and boarding arrangements for Ambedkar’s followers.

The Government’s active participation in the April 14 celebration and the schemes for SCs and STs launched in the state since Chouhan came to power will be highlighted during the Vikas Yatras.