Ambedkar anniv: Parties brace up for show of strength
Fearing that fierce competition between parties to outdo each other might trigger clashes, the police have sounded a statewide alert
LUCKNOW: As political parties in Uttar Pradesh vie for the coveted Dalit vote bank, battle lines have been drawn on the eve of the 127th birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on April 14. Fearing that fierce competition between political parties to outdo each other for Dalit votes might trigger clashes, the police have sounded a state wide alert. The BSP is planning a show of strength at Ambedkar memorial in Lucknow and has painted the town blue by putting hoardings, posters and banners to mark the occasion. Senior leaders will pay obeisance to Ambedkar. The BJP has planned yatras in all the districts and to felicitate senior members of Dalit community, a party leader said.
LUCKNOW: As political parties in Uttar Pradesh vie for the coveted Dalit vote bank, battle lines have been drawn on the eve of the 127th birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on April 14.
Fearing that fierce competition between political parties to outdo each other for Dalit votes might trigger clashes, the police have sounded a state wide alert.
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is planning a show of strength at Ambedkar memorial in Lucknow and has painted the town blue by putting hoardings, posters and banners to mark the occasion. Senior leaders will pay obeisance to Ambedkar and address party workers.
A party leader said BSP president Mayawati would attend a programme in New Delhi and office-bearers in Uttar Pradesh had been asked to organise programmes in all the districts.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has planned yatras in all the districts and to felicitate senior members of Dalit community, a party leader said.
The BJP government had recently ordered inclusion of ‘Ramji’ as the middle name of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar in all official correspondence.
The government also directed that all government offices would have portraits of Dr Ambedkar. The party has released Rs 35,000 to each district for Ambedkar’s birth anniversary celebrations.
Ambedkar Mahasabha, a nonpolitical organisation will honour chief minister Yogi Adityanath with the title of ‘Dalit Mitra’ (friend of Dalits).
SP national president Akhilesh Yadav has directed the party leaders to celebrate Ambedkar’s birth anniversary in all the district offices and at public places with fervour.
The Congress has also planned a series of programmes across the state. Senior party leaders have been directed to attend the programmes organised in Dalit-dominated areas.
Meanwhile, police have been put on high alert to avert any untoward incident on the occasion.
“Superintendents of police (SPs) of all the 75 districts have been directed to remain on high alert and deploy extra police force at sensitive spots on April 14,” ADG (law and order) Anand Kumar said.
“The SPs have also been asked to ensure safety of Ambedkar’s statues in their respective districts,” Kumar said.
He added intelligence units had been activated to maintain watch on anti-social elements that might indulge in nefarious activities to create tension.
A senior police officer said extra force had been deployed in six districts where violence had erupted during Bharat Bandh protest by Dalit organisations.
“Rapid action force (RAF) and provincial armed constabulary (PAC) have also been put on alert. The SPs have been directed to hold talks with the organisers to ensure peace and harmony,” the officer said. Dalit scholar RK Gautam said political parties were trying to claim Ambedkar’s legacy for vote bank.
“Political parties are wooing Dalits that constitute 21% of the state population. Their support will be crucial in 2019 Lok Sabha election,” he said.
“The BJP is trying to spread its base in Dalit and backward communities while the BSP is trying to maintain its hold on Dalit votes. Political parties are invoking Ambedkar to woo Dalits and backward communities,” Gautam said.