After more than two decades as an independent MLA, Thakur strongman from Uttar Pradesh Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias ‘Raja Bhaiya’ has decided to float his own political party.
Making the announcement here on Friday, Mr. Singh also indicated his party would be contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha election but maintained suspense on possible allies.
Three possible names
While the formalities regarding the formation of his new party are still under process, the new outfit could be called the Jansatta Dal, Jansatta Party or Jansatta Loktantrik Party. Its flag will be yellow and green.
Explaining the reasons why he decided to float a new party, the six-time MLA from Kunda in Pratapgarh indicated his strategy to galvanise upper caste voters and also tap into the sentiment among non-Dalit communities regarding the SC/ST Act and reservations.
Mr. Singh said that despite being a “burning issue” among common people all political parties were silent on the SC/ST Act.
He alleged that Dalits received preferential treatment and compensation for crimes suffered by them, including rape and murder, while the upper castes and other communities were left out. He demanded that non-Dalits should also be provided similar compensation.
Speaking out against the SC/ST Act, he said the empowerment of Dalits cannot be ensured by “isolating them or cutting them”from the rest.
“There is a discussion among people about the SC/ST Act, they are troubled by it. But there is no talk of it in the Assembly or Parliament,” said Mr. Singh.
Starting from 1993, Mr. Singh has been elected MLA six times as an independent candidate from his fiefdom Kunda in Pratapgarh district.
