The RPI story seems to be a story of splits in Maharashtra.After 1969, there was no strong leadership within the RPI. And so differences of opinion cropped up. Some of the leaders went with the Congress, others went elsewhere. The absence of a strong leadership made the party and leadership vulnerable to all kinds of inducements.There is a criticism that the RPI is a party of Mahars, and that other Dalit sub-castes support other parties, including the Shiv Sena.I don’t agree with it. This criticism came from Bal Thackeray. He has a vested interest in claiming that Dalits support the Sena. The RPI movement was very successful in raising certain issues which were crucial to the Dalits.Do you think caste- or community-based political parties are still relevant?No. The phase of community-based political parties ended in 2000. The major issue for the rural masses now is agriculture — how to get protection from imports. Any politician who can catch on to this slogan successfully is going to capture power. Economic issues are back in the forefront now, these only need to be codified.But states like Uttar Pradesh belie your thesis.There people are going back to community politics because they don’t have an alternative.Are you saying parties banking on one caste group or the other have no relevance.Caste- or region-based politics has lost its relevance. Take the example of Sharad Pawar, where has he landed? His support base was the Marathas, but election results did not reflect this base.What about the RPI?The RPI has no relevance now.What about you?I am talking about the party, not myself.What alternative do you have in mind?There is no alternative. We will try to build it with new forces, new leadership. If people are given an alternative, they will take it.How relevant are Dalit parties in this scenario?Instruments that are needed for the protection of Dalits are now in place. It is a case of implementation. Here it is a question of political power. Henceforth, there will no longer be a national movement. There will only be state-level movements. There they will work out arrangements for powersharing. One monolithic party representing Dalit interests won’t be there.Increasingly, Dalits seem to be a part of the Hindutva forces active even in riots.Gujarat riots were the creation of Patels. Dalits were part of the riots only in Ahmedabad. It is true tribals were involved, but they first looted Muslims, then turned to Hindus. And Hindu organisations had to withdraw them.
