Will attacks on Dalits backfire on BJP in UP, Punjab?

At a time when things were going on smoothly post-Assam’s massive victory, the BJP is now in trouble. Ahead of UP and Punjab assembly elections, comments against and attacks on Dalits are proving to be a millstone around the BJP neck. The question is will these incidents affect the BJP prospects in the coming elections?

Punjab has 32 per cent Dalit voters. The community is largest social block and a large part of it is under the control of Deras and Gurus. Last time these Deras supported the BJP. Indications are that if the Dalit-non-Dalit tensions persist, these votes might turn away from the BJP.

UP has 21 per cent Dalits votes. This is generally a strong support base for the BSP. However, this bond was disrupted in 2014, when BJP was able to make massive inroads into Dalit votes. However, with the recent incidents, the Dalit voters might revert to the BSP.

The BJP wanted to dent further into the Dalit vote bank, but recent comments on Mayavathi might prove counter-productive. A worried Narendra Modi has even called upon his party men to avoid politics of casteism.

Sensing opportunity, non-BJP paries are trying to corner BJP by making a beeline to Una, where Dalits were attacked for skinning cows. Already Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal visited Una. Even Trinamool congress is also sending a delegation to the town.