The rise and decline of BSP: A tale of shifting political fortunes

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), once a major political force in Uttar Pradesh, is currently undergoing significant organizational changes, which have sparked concerns about its future. BSP chief Mayawati recently made the bold decision to strip her nephew, Akash Anand, of all responsibilities, marking the second time in a year that he has been removed from the position of successor and National Coordinator. In a clear statement of intent, Mayawati declared that she would not appoint any successor while she is still alive.

These changes reflect Mayawati's attempt to restructure the party's leadership in the face of growing criticism and the perception that the BSP is now a spent force in Indian politics.

The party has a long and complex history, characterized by a unique blend of Dalit-centric ideology, political pragmatism, and strategic social engineering.

Founded by Kanshi Ram on April 14, 1984, the party's core agenda was to uplift the Dalit community, who had long been marginalized and deprived of their rightful share of socio-political power.

The foundation of the BSP: Dalit welfare at the forefront

Kanshi Ram’s vision for the BSP was rooted in the idea of empowering Dalits, backward classes, and other underprivileged sections of society. He sought to create a political platform where these marginalized communities could have a voice and challenge the dominance of the upper-caste and traditional political elites. His efforts aimed at mobilizing Dalits, turning them from a mere vote bank to a formidable political force.

The BSP was thus established as a Dalit-ideology-centric party, positioning itself as the champion of social justice and equality. Its slogan, "Tilak, Tarazu aur Talwar, inko maaro joote chaar ," symbolized the fight against the oppressive forces of caste-based discrimination.

Kanshi Ram’s leadership was key in positioning the party as a genuine advocate for Dalit rights, and the BSP gained significant support from Dalit voters who had historically been excluded from the mainstream political process.

Mayawati’s rise and rise

Kanshi Ram's successor, Mayawati, took the reins of the BSP and became a symbol of Dalit empowerment in Indian politics. Under her leadership, the party made remarkable strides, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India, and a key political battleground.

In 1995, Mayawati broke new ground by becoming the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for the first time, a historic achievement for a Dalit woman in a state where caste-based politics were deeply entrenched.

Her tenure was marked by a focus on Dalit welfare, including initiatives aimed at improving the social and economic status of the community. However, her tenure was also marked by political instability, with her government not lasting a full term on several occasions. Mayawati became the Chief Minister again in 1997, 2002, and 2007, though except for 2007, she was unable to complete her full term in office due to political turbulence.

The 2007 turning point: From dalit-centric to social engineering

The year 2007 was a watershed moment for the BSP. In this year, the party changed its political stance from a Dalit-centric party to one that embraced social engineering. This strategic shift was largely driven by Mayawati’s desire to expand the party's voter base and form a broader political coalition. The BSP sought to reach out to other communities, including Brahmins and upper castes, in an attempt to build a larger support base that would transcend traditional caste lines.

This approach was advocated by party leader Satish Chandra Mishra, who aimed to bring together various caste groups under the BSP's umbrella.

By 2007, the party won a landslide victory in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections, securing 206 seats. This success marked a significant departure from the party's traditional focus on Dalit votes and showed the potential of social engineering in Indian politics. The BSP's ability to forge new alliances with different caste groups was seen as a tactical move to challenge the dominance of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state.

BSP's Performance in the Lok Sabha Elections

The Bahujan Samaj Party's journey in national politics has been closely tied to its performance in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of India's Parliament) elections. The party’s results in the 13th, 14th, and 15th Lok Sabha elections reflected the shifting dynamics of the BSP’s appeal.

In the 13th Lok Sabha (1999), the BSP secured 14 seats, a respectable number for a party still growing its national footprint. In the subsequent 14th Lok Sabha elections (2004), the BSP’s vote share increased, and it won 17 seats, signaling a growing influence in national politics.

The party’s biggest triumph in the Lok Sabha came in the 15th Lok Sabha elections (2009), where it won 21 seats, further cementing its place as a formidable player in Indian politics. Despite this success, the BSP was still largely viewed as a regional force, with its primary base of support concentrated in Uttar Pradesh.

The decline:

But after 2009, with the rise of BJP under Narendra Modi in subsequent years, BJP’s downfall started.

2014 : 0 seats

In 2014 Lok sabha elections when Modi Tsunami uprooted several political leaders, BSP too felt the heat. The party scored a duck 0 seats of the 80 seats it contested.

2019 : 10 seats

In 2019, party came into an alliance with SP its bitter rival and alliance togther won 15 seats of which BSP win 10 seats.

2024 : 79 seats

This time BSP contested on 79 seats but once again failed to open its account.

The Future of the BSP ?

The Bahujan Samaj Party, once a dominant force in Uttar Pradesh politics, is at a crossroads. While it continues to maintain a strong base among Dalit communities, the shifting political landscape and the emergence of new players like the BJP and SP have made it difficult for the BSP to maintain its relevance.

Rahul Gandhi while speaking to a group of students recently, quipped “ why is Behenji not fighting the elections properly these days?” with this he has tried to question the presence of BSP and also its fall in the midst of legal cases related to party Supremo Mayawati.

Mayawati’s leadership remains central to the party’s fortunes, but questions about its ability to adapt to new realities and forge successful alliances continue to loom large.

UP has now seen a shift of the voter base of BSP towards smaller parties like Apna Dal and also rise of new dalit leader ChandraShekhar Rawan who has now become an MP.

The BSP’s future trajectory will likely depend on how effectively it can balance its original Dalit-centric agenda with the social engineering strategy that has defined its more recent efforts.