SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav has broken his silence on SC-ST reservation classification after 11 days. Akhilesh has opposed the decision of the Supreme Court and called it a conspiracy of the BJP. He has said that any change in reservation for Dalits and tribals is not acceptable to the SP. Akhilesh Yadav’s sudden activism on SC-ST reservation classification decision is raising two questions in UP political circles.
First, has Akhilesh broken his silence on SC-ST reservation classification under pressure from Mayawati? Second question: What political interest is Akhilesh serving by opposing this Supreme Court decision?
Akhilesh’s stance on SC-ST reservation classification?
In a post on social media, Akhilesh termed reserve as life blood and life saver. He said that the objective of reservation should be empowerment of society and not disintegration of society.
Akhilesh further wrote that the gaps of opportunity discrimination and inequality that have persisted for countless generations cannot be bridged by changes in a few generations. The SP president said that there is a need to strengthen the reservation and not to change its provisions.
The SP supremo also surrounded the BJP on the issue of reservation. He said that the BJP government every time tries to undermine the fight for reservation through its defiant statements and lawsuits. He tries to gain sympathy when the issue becomes serious.
Referring to his PDA (Backward, Dalit and Minority) formula, Akhilesh said- The trust of 90% of the PDA community in the BJP is steadily declining. The credibility of BJP has reached zero on the issue of reservation.
Mayawati questioned Akhilesh’s silence
BSP supremo Mayawati at a press conference in Lucknow questioned the strategy of SP and Congress on SC-ST reservation. Mayawati said that those who were taking votes from the people in the name of saving the constitution, are now silent on the Supreme Court’s decision. The people of Dalit society will teach them a lesson.
Mayawati also cornered Akhilesh over Kapil Sibal’s appearance in the SC-ST reservation classification case. Mayawati said- those whom the SP president has sent to the Rajya Sabha are arguing against reservation in the Supreme Court.
Dalit politics and Akhilesh’s PDA in UP
Dalits constitute about 21 percent of the country’s largest state, Uttar Pradesh. Most of them are Jatav (11 percent). Besides Pasi about 3.5 percent, Kori about 1 percent, Dhobi about 1 percent and other castes including Khatik, Dhanagar, Balmiki about 4.5 percent.
17 Lok Sabha seats in the state are reserved for Dalits. This is about 21 percent of the total 80 seats. As for the Legislative Assembly, 84 seats have been reserved for Dalits. This is also 21 percent of the total 403 seats.
Akhilesh Yadav prepared the formula of PDA after the defeat in 2022 assembly elections. This formula of Akhilesh Yadav was a hit in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. India Alliance won 8 out of 17 seats reserved for Dalits.
According to CSDS, in the 2024 elections, the SP and Congress alliance got 25 percent of the votes of the Jatav community and 56 percent of the non-Jatav Dalits. On the other hand, the NDA alliance got 24 percent of the votes of the Jatav community and 29 percent of the non-Jat Dalits.
Mayawati got 44 percent of the votes from the Jatav community, but could not win over the non-Jatav Dalits. This community got only 15 percent votes.
Assembly by-elections proposed on 10 seats
By-elections are proposed for 10 vacant Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh in October-November. These constituencies include Kundarki, Karhal, Katehari, Kher, Ghaziabad, Phulpur, Mazwan, Mirapur, Milkipur and Sisamau. Currently 5 seats are held by NDA alliance and 5 by Bharat alliance.
Milkipur and Kher seats are reserved for Dalits among the 10 seats where by-elections are to be held. While in Katehari, Mazwan, Phulpur and Karahal seats Dalits have a major role in winning and losing. Akhilesh Yadav wants to maintain his success in the Lok Sabha in these by-elections as well.
Also, Akhilesh Yadav does not want to let his PDA formula weaken. This is why Akhilesh is taking the same stance on Dalits that Mayawati has taken.
