Why BSP has stopped asking for donations at cadre meetings

“In the past, leaders asked participants to contribute as per their wishes. This was done when the BSP was a strong force nationally and people contributed happily. Since the party’s electoral fortunes have declined and since many of our followers come from economically weaker sections of society, we have decided to discontinue the practice. However, if someone wants to volunteer, they are welcome,” a senior BSP leader said.

However, not everyone in the party agrees with this decision, saying financial contributions from the party cadre and membership fees were the only two sources of fund collection for the party. “We are a party that does not receive funds from businessmen, as seen in the reports of the electoral bonds. Now, we only have membership fees of Rs 50 per person as the source of our funds,” the leader said.

Following its rout in last year’s Lok Sabha polls where it failed to open its account, the BSP slashed its membership fees from Rs 200 to Rs 50 to bring in more rural people from economically weaker sections.

However, the BSP, as per reports submitted to the Election Commission (EC), has seen the money earned through “fees and subscriptions” jump from Rs 600 lakh in 2021-22 to Rs 1,373 lakh in 2022-23. In 2023-25, it was Rs 2,659 lakh. The financial reports for all three years mention no money received through donations and grants.

Before the party came to power in Uttar Pradesh with an absolute majority in 2007, cadre meetings were key for strengthening its organisation. However, sources said these meetings were halted after Mayawati became CM and were revived only recently. But since then these meetings have been irregular.

A leader said around 400 people from Dalit, Scheduled Tribe (ST), OBC, and minority communities would be invited for each closed-door cadre meeting. “Prior to that, the organisational base of the party in all states would be put in place through reviews of booth- and sector-level committees,” the leader added.

Saying cadre meetings had started in March in a few areas of Uttar Pradesh, a BSP leader claimed that similar meetings would be held across the country in a “planned manner” starting in October after the six-month membership drive that is currently on. Mayawati is expected to address public meetings in various states as a part of the BSP’s revival plan.

The BSP is looking to expand beyond its traditional Dalit voter base by reaching out to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

“Prominent OBC castes such as Rajbhars, Nishads, Mauryas, Kushwahas, Sainis and Kurmi were with the BSP before 2012 and we had given them representation in the government as well. But, they seemed to have moved to the Samajwadi Party (SP), BJP and other smaller regional outfits since the BSP lost power in 2012. We have to get back their support as only Dalit votes will not bring us to power,” a leader said.