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Journalism of Courage
Lok Sabha MP Ritesh Pandey who quit the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Sunday to join the BJP comes from a family with a political pedigree. His father Rakesh Pandey is a Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA at present and has earlier represented Ambedkarnagar in Parliament.
The 42-year-old Pandey, a Brahmin, created a space in the BSP whose core voter base is Jatav Dalits. He served as the party’s floor leader in the Lok Sabha but was replaced after the rout in the UP Assembly polls in 2022. He spoke to The Indian Express about what prompted him to quit the BSP and the road ahead.
Excerpts:
Why did you quit the BSP?
I was not invited to any party meeting after the 2022 UP Assembly elections. I do not want to comment more on this as I respect ‘Behenji (Mayawati)’. She has given me a lot and I do not want to make negative statements about her. Like me, other MPs were also not invited. They will answer for themselves.
Did you have apprehension that the BSP might not field you this time?
For the past 12 years in the BSP, I have learnt a lot. Party workers have held my hand and taught me but recently I started feeling that the party did not need me anymore. There must be a certain level of communication between the party and its MPs but this had been on a decline and became almost zero over the past two years. This made me feel that the party did not appreciate me and hence I found it appropriate to decide my future move.
Why did you choose the BSP in the first place?
I joined the party as a 24-year-old as I was impressed with the ideas and thoughts of the party, B R Ambedkar, Kanshi Ram ji, and Mayawati ji about the most deprived sections. Even now I am impressed with their ideas but I did not see clarity in the party’s approach towards me.
BSP MP Afzal Ansari has been declared as the SP’s candidate while Danish Ali attended Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Other MPs too are reportedly in touch with various parties. Why are sitting MPs moving away from the BSP?
I cannot answer for them. I can only speak for myself. I felt neglected and unwanted.
What made you join the BJP?
I entered politics to fight for the oppressed and deprived sections of society. In the past decade, I have seen them get basic amenities such as houses, electricity, and water. There is also a push for creating job opportunities for them. In Ambedkarnagar, in the past five years over 4,000 houses were built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, toilets were built, water tanks have been built in every village and there is electricity in every household. Industrial corridors are being developed along the Purvanchal Expressway and Gorakhpur Link Expressway in the most backward areas. I feel PM Narendra Modi has been successful in ensuring benefits schemes reach the last person.
You were said to be developing a parallel organisation in your constituency. Did you sense that you would need it in the elections as the BSP was not in touch with you?
A political leader needs an organisation to ensure that the benefits of his or her work reach the most deprived person. It also ensures that people can meet their representatives without any hiccups. A leader stays connected with people in his constituency through the organisation.
Will you contest the Lok Sabha election?
Such decisions are taken democratically. I will abide by the decision of the party.
Just before you joined the BJP, Mayawati said BSP MPs need to assess from time to time whether they properly followed the party’s guidelines.
I tried to complete the responsibilities given to me with full strength and devotion. I also rectified any shortcomings or imperfections brought to my notice.
How was your experience with Mayawati and BSP?
Mayawati ji is a highly respected and very popular leader. It was my great fortune that I worked on her directives and led the party in the Lok Sabha. Behenji and BSP workers guided and taught me. I see Behenji as a social reformer and that will always remain the case.
