Wanted: BSP

The recent bout of communal violence in Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh had rather trivial beginnings in a marriage party. But as it billowed and spread, it became apparent that the flames were being fanned by a larger power play. Uttar Pradesh is headed for crucial assembly polls in a few months8217; time; both government and Opposition, 8216;secularists8217; and 8216;communal forces8217;, are readying for the upcoming fight for the state. Given the political logjam in UP for the last several years now 8212; all the players are boxed into their respective corners and unable to forge larger winning coalitions 8212; there are going to be no easy victories. In such a scenario, it is not surprising perhaps that parties take resort to a cynical politics of communal polarisation.

As other states in the country move on and ahead, UP seems bogged down by older syndromes and paralyses. In the early years, the collapse of Congress dominance and the emergence of a multi-cornered fight for the state promised to deepen democracy. But soon a raging identity politics took hold, undermining any possibilities of larger agendas and coalitions. Ever since, elections have become the occasion for parties that are rapidly shrinking on the ground to play castes and communities against one another in the hope of energising their 8216;vote banks8217;.

But there are stirrings of ground-level change. There are signs, for instance, that the state8217;s Muslim community is flailing about for options and alternatives 8212; visible in the emergence of new political fronts. Also, as 8216;bijli, sadak, paani, padhaai8217; become the buzzwords in elections across the country, and as the subject changes to development even in neighbouring Bihar, UP voters, regardless of caste and creed, will also demand more. First of all, they will demand a government that assures them security of life and liberty 8212; as a matter of right, and not as patronage. The Mulayam Singh government must take note.