Congress, AAP, BJP scramble for Dalit votes: Why they’re blue chip stocks for all parties

NEW DELHI: In 2022, Arvind Kejriwal announced that govt offices in Delhi would display only photos of Dr BR Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh . In April last year, he drew criticism of BJP for putting a photo of himself between Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh when imprisoned.

Recently, Rahul Gandhi wore a royal blue shirt and sister Priyanka a blue sari to Parliament to challenge what they said was Union home minister Amit Shah's disparaging remarks about Ambedkar. The colour is associated with Dalit activism. Prime Minister Modi responded by accusing Congress of having "neglected" Ambedkar.

In Dec, Kejriwal announced Ambedkar scholarships for Dalit students in poll-bound Delhi, while CM Atishi contented recently that the lieutenant governor and BJP had authorised the destruction of structures holding Ambedkar's statue.

Dalits are a constant part of the political paradigm in the capital. The reason is clear. Delhi has 24.6 lakh Scheduled Caste voters, making them at 17% of the electorate, only the second biggest after the OBCs, who constitute 20% of all voters. Twelve of the 70 assembly seats are reserved for SC candidates.

Several other constituencies are home to a sizable, and decisive, SC presence, toting up approximately 24% of the voters in Ballimaran, 22% in Wazirpur, Narela, Rajendra Nagar and Tughlaqabad and 20% in Rohtas Nagar.

Despite their electorally significant numbers, the Balmiki, Jatav, Khatik, Bavaria, Raigar, Koli, Nat, Sansi, etc., live lives filled with economic disadvantages.

Dinesh Kumar, who lives at Valmiki Sadan on Mandir Marg, adjacent to the Valmiki Mandir there, appeared miffed with Delhi govt, believing that AAP didn't do enough to create more jobs for the youth of the community. Kumar, who works as a dog catcher in NDMC, said, "I have two sons and a daughter, all graduates. They are unemployed. My prime concern is their future. We expected more from this govt," said Kumar.

Others, including Vardan, a young gym trainer, nodded in agreement with what the community elder said.

When asked about two prominent AAP Dalit leaders, Raj Kumar Anand, who shifted to BJP in July last year, and Rajendra Pal Gautam, who joined Congress in Sept, the people said they left AAP because it wasn't sensitive to Dalit sentiments.

But Ved Prakash, who claimed to be a Congress voter, yet critical of party candidate Sandeep Dikshit for his long absence from the limelight, said all this was politics and didn't bother anyone. "What matters is the electricity bill, which, despite subsidies, is quite high." Sushma, a housewife and resident of Valmiki Sadan, however, lauded Delhi govt's free bus service scheme for women.

In the Rajendra Nagar constituency, e-rickshaw driver Aman, a member of the Jatav community, said that he would like to give Congress a chance. "Both AAP and BJP didn't do anything for us. It was during the Congress reign that e-rickshaws were introduced and that is what has fed my family," said Aman. In the 100-quarter area of Karol Bagh, also a reserved constituency, most residents expressed satisfaction at Delhi govt's work. Citing the free electricity and paved lanes, retired DJB employee Ashok Valmiki said, "Our mohalla is doing good and AAP has delivered what it promised. We are hopeful of the Rs 2,100 assistance for women too."

However, Somil, a housewife, and Beena, who works as a domestic cook, complained about high power tariffs and waterlogging in Gali No.1 of the same ghetto. Beena pointed at Sanjay Kumar, a local resident, unclogging a sewer using a long bamboo pole. "Besides the high electricity rates, sewers are where Delhi govt failed us," said Beena. "Many may still vote for AAP but others will explore their options."

Meanwhile, at the D-Second sector in Ambedkar Nagar, another reserved constituency, the community members were livid. "You have seen the filthy condition we are living in. Now see the state of the mohalla clinic.

They don't even have medicines for cough and cold," said an irate Rubi, a homemaker, who said the govt's only good deed was renovating the school building.

Professor Chandrachud Singh, who teaches political science in Hindu College, dividing the Dalits of Delhi into two categories. "The first is the immigrant who came from Bihar and UP, lives in jhuggis and carries the twin identities of a Dalit and a Poorvanchali. The other is the second- or third-generation, city-born, urbanised Dalit," he explained. "There are layers within the SC community, so we cannot intuitively predict for whom the entire lot will vote. But this time, there is also the anti-incumbency. I think the poor Dalits will tilt towards AAP, whereas the more urbanised individuals will no longer be loyal to it."

He added, "I do see BJP's vote in the SC seats going up. However, AAP will still do well, banking on slum clusters and low-income Dalit votes. What would be interesting is what Dalits think about Congress. If it cuts into AAP votes, it will only help BJP."

While AAP has weathered the turmoil in its Dalit leadership and found replacements for seniors who left, BJP will hope anti-incumbency plays a big role. In 2020, BJP lost all 12 reserved seats. While an AAP functionary said that the Dalit Samaj was aware of its rights and future and would, therefore, support the party, a BJP SC Cell members said, "Almost 70% of the Dalit community lives in JJ colonies and people are openly expressing their anger against the ruling party over issues like water, jobs, pensions, etc."

In response to TOI's queries about its Dalit agenda, AAP said in a statement, "The AAP govt stands alone in India in championing the dreams of Babasaheb Ambedkar by prioritising quality education and empowerment of the community. Through the Mukhyamantri Jai Bhim Yojana, the Dalit youth will now be able to fulfil their dreams by getting free coaching for competitive exams. Arvind Kejriwal guarantees transformative change with the Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship Yojana, ensuring full funding for travel and stay for Dalit students from Delhi pursuing higher education at top global universities."