Following its success in regaining a significant portion of the Dalit vote in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress has launched an extensive outreach campaign to solidify this support for the 2027 Assembly elections. The party’s first focus is Gorakhpur, the home turf of UP CM Yogi Adityanath.
Reconnecting with the Dalit Community
The Congress aims to strengthen its ties with the Dalit community through special membership drives, identifying influential Dalit figures in each Assembly constituency, and organizing division-level “sammelans” and district-level “Dalit chaupals” to address community issues.
Detailed Outreach Plan
At a recent high-level meeting at the state Congress headquarters in Lucknow, a detailed 15-day program was crafted with input from prominent Dalit leaders across the state. Although not officially announced, the first four sammelans are proposed for Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, and Meerut.
Leadership and Support
Alok Prasad, head of the UP Congress’s Scheduled Caste (SC) department, emphasized the party’s commitment to the Dalit community. “Dalits have traditionally been our supporters but drifted away over time. However, they supported us in the recent elections. It’s now our responsibility to listen to their issues and find solutions,” he said.
Action Plan
Starting in Gorakhpur, the Congress will launch a membership drive to enroll at least 1,000 prominent Dalit faces from each Assembly segment. In coordination with district units, “Dalit chaupals” will be held fortnightly in Dalit-dominated areas.
Strengthening the Organization
The Congress plans to assign new responsibilities to prominent Dalit leaders within the organization to strengthen its SC unit at the grassroots level. The outreach also aims to engage professionals from the community, such as doctors and teachers, to address their issues.
Political Strategy
The Congress’s strategy includes promoting Dalit leaders within the INDIA bloc, such as supporting Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad for the role of Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker. This move aims to highlight the coalition’s commitment to Dalit leadership, especially in regions with significant Pasi Dalit populations.
Impact on BJP
According to internal BJP reviews, the shift of Dalit votes to the SP-Congress alliance has significantly impacted their performance. Approximately 6% of the BSP’s core Jatav Dalit votes shifted to the INDIA alliance, helping the Opposition coalition in the elections.
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