Making a renewed attempt to woo Brahmins, who were once part of the Bahujan Samaj Party’s support base in Uttar Pradesh, the former Chief Minister Mayawati on Thursday said this community, along with Dalits, was at the receiving end under the Samajwadi Party government.
Talking to reporters after addressing a meeting of the “Brahmin Bhaichara Samiti” here, she cited a recent incident in which a couple, with a garland of shoes, were paraded in Etawah — Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s home district. “The powers that be in the present regime belong to Etawah and it is quite evident that atrocities are being committed on the people belonging to the upper castes there.” However, the local BSP unit ensured that justice was delivered to the Brahmin husband and wife, she said.
On Brahmins deserting the BSP during the 2012 Assembly polls, Ms. Mayawati said they and other upper castes were misled by the propaganda of the other parties, and the understanding between the Congress and the BJP. “This to some extent caused a shift in the upper castes. However, now they must be regretting their decision.”
Meanwhile, 19 Brahmins figured among the names of 36 candidates the BSP chief announced for the 2014 Lok Sabha election from Uttar Pradesh. The other 17 nominees are for reserved constituencies.
While most of the sitting MPs have been renominated, the former Minister Rakesh Dhar Tripathi has been fielded in Mirzapur. Mr. Tripathi was sacked by Ms. Mayawati in January 2012 (when she was Chief Minister) on corruption charges but he made a quiet re-entry into the BSP in January this year.
Another former Minister Nakul Dubey will contest from Lucknow.
Yet another former Minister, R.K. Chaudhari, who returned to the BSP last week, has been given ticket to enter the fray in Mohanlalganj (reserved) in Lucknow district.
